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A West Virginia woman and her husband faked her disappearance by pretending she plummeted from an overlook as part of a scheme to keep her out of having to go to prison, authorities said.
Julie Wheeler and Rodney Wheeler were arrested Tuesday on multiple charges including conspiracy and giving false information to West Virginia State Police.
State police said Julie Wheeler was reported missing Sunday by her husband and 17-year-old son.
The family claimed Julie Wheeler had fallen from the main overlook at the New River Gorge National River, National Park Service Ranger Leah Perkowski-Sisk said.
Authorities searched for Julie Wheeler for days but found her Tuesday 鈥渁live and well鈥� hiding in a closet in her home.
A criminal complaint said Rodney Wheeler and his son planted items at the Grandview Overlook to fake Julie Wheeler鈥檚 disappearance. It鈥檚 unclear whether the son will face criminal charges.
Julie Wheeler pleaded guilty to federal health care fraud in February after an investigation into 鈥減ill mill鈥� clinic operations. She鈥檒l be sentenced for that charge on June 17.
It鈥檚 unclear whether the couple have an attorney who could comment on their behalf.聽RGA
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