No, the woman behind the false kidnapping alert is not a journalist
On April 2, Amie Dean went live on Facebook, claiming she had been kidnapped while traveling to the Farmington Hotel for a job interview. She said she boarded a black vehicle occupied by unknown men while returning from Smell-No-Taste.
Following the incident, the Female Journalist Association of Liberia (FEJAL) released a statement demanding immediate police action and identifying Amie as a member:
“This situation is deeply troubling and poses an urgent national concern, particularly given the inherent risks faced by journalists in their line of duty. FEJAL views this incident not only as a threat to the safety of one of its members but also as a critical issue regarding the protection of female journalists across Liberia.”
The narrative circulated widely online: here, here, and here. The hashtag #PrayForAmie trended regarding the story.
Verification: During the police investigation, Amie, 26, a resident of Paynesville City, admitted the kidnapping claim was fabricated. She told investigators that a friend, Roland Phillips, had informed her of a job opening at the Farmington Hotel but later disclosed the position was for housekeeping, not hotel management, and that Phillips was her boyfriend.
She was charged and arrested for False Statement and False Report to Law Enforcement, in violation of Chapters 12.31 and 12.33 of the Revised Penal Code of the Republic of Liberia. Amie appeared before investigators on April 4, 2026. On April 16, both charges were dropped, with a recommendation that she undergo a comprehensive professional mental health evaluation.
Amie and her twin sister Amelia live in Joe Bar, Paynesville, and are both members of the Twin Cares Association, which also released a statement at the time of the disappearance claim.
But is Amie—or her sister Amelia—a journalist?
TSM contacted Amelia to address the circulating claim. She confirmed that neither she nor her sister is a journalist. She said they are members of the Twin Cares Organization and that studio appearances were made to raise awareness about an upcoming program for that organization, not in any journalistic capacity.
She specified two appearances: one at ELBC on December 11, 2024, and one at Truth FM on December 5, 2024. An image verification by TSM confirmed the Truth FM appearance was also on Real TV.
“The image circulating on social media of my sister wearing a headset was from a radio appearance we made on behalf of our organization. We are not journalists.”
Amelia also denied ever speaking with FEJAL about her sister’s false abduction: “I have not spoken to that group, and I am shocked that they claimed my sister is a journalist.”
TSM contacted the President of FEJAL for a response; Lisa Diasay says the association was misled by relatives of Amie. "We regret the incident and our intent of the statement was for the police to locate her, but we got shocked that the narrative is false."
TSM contacted the President of FEJAL for a response; Lisa Diasay says the association was misled by relatives of Amie. "We regret the incident and our intent of the statement was for the police to locate her, but we got shocked that the narrative is false."
Conclusion: The claim that Amie Dean is a journalist is false. The widely circulated image of her wearing a headset was taken during a radio appearance made as a representative of the Twin Cares Association, not in any journalistic capacity.
