Sonoma, California’s Katie Sorensen may go to jail for accusing Petaluma’s Eddie Martinez, Sadie Martinez of attempted kidnapping

Katie Sorensen of Sonoma, Sonoma County, California, United States went to a Michaels craft store in Petaluma, Sonoma County on December 7, 2020 with her son, 4, and her daughter, 1. She encountered Eddie Martinez and his wife Sadie Martinez, who went to that craft store that day to buy a decorative baby Jesus.

Eddie and Sadie are residents of Petaluma. They are of Latino descent and they have five children.

On December 13, 2020, Sorensen took to Instagram to share two videos of herself accusing Eddie and Sadie of trying to kidnap her two children at the Michaels in Petaluma on December 7, 2020. According to Sorensen, the Latino couple waited in line behind her, did not buy anything from the craft store and followed her into the parking lot.

“My children were the targets of attempted kidnap,” Sorensen said in one of the videos. “I want to share that story with you in an effort to raise awareness.”

Sorensen claimed that Eddie and Sadie talked about the features of her children. According to the mother of two, the couple talked to someone on the phone and described what her children looked like.

“I heard them talking about the features of my children but I was totally paralyzed with fear,” Sorensen claimed. “I just couldn’t bring myself to say anything.”

The videos were viewed more than 4 million times before they were deleted. It increased Sorensen’s Instagram followers from around 6,000 to around 80,000.

Katie Sorensen says strangers tried to kidnap her kids outside the Petaluma @MichaelsStores after following them around inside. Her @instagram video (partial here) has hit 2M views. @petaluma_police investigating. She & @PollyDad speak out to @KTVU 5:15, 6:15, 7:30 p.m. pic.twitter.com/cG0wnm2JgQ

— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) December 15, 2020

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“They didn’t look necessarily clean cut,” Sorensen said of Eddie and Sadie. “I felt uncomfortable around them and instead of making them uncomfortable with my discomfort, I chose to remain in my discomfort.”

Petaluma Police Department found no evidence supporting Sorensen’s attempted kidnapping claim. On April 29, 2021, Sonoma County prosecutors confirmed that she had been charged with giving false information to a police officer and giving false information to a police dispatcher.

Each charge has a maximum penalty of six months in jail. Represented by Charles Dresow of Marin County, California, Sorensen will be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. on May 13, 2021.

“We’re very happy with the news,” Sadie told Petaluma Argus-Courier. “It’s a nice step toward justice. It gives you hope.”