Lehigh Acres, Florida’s Shana Hudson accused of falsely reporting residential burglary

Shana Hudson, 39, of Lehigh Acres, Lee County, Florida, United States is a mother of five. On November 19, 2023, she called Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies and reported a residential burglary.

Shana Hudson recibió grandes muestras de solidaridad de la comunidad después de que se conociera su historia, hasta las autoridades se unieron para ayudarle, pero después la verdad se descubrió.https://t.co/VOQg82Ykpd

— Univision Orlando (@UnivisionOrl) December 9, 2023

Shana Hudson

According to Hudson, someone stole several items from her residence in Lehigh Acres. She claimed that an intruder stole the Christmas presents she recently bought for her children.

The intruder broke into the house through a back window, Hudson reported. She said the presents that were stolen were clothes for her five children and eight fishing poles.

The detectives investigating the case coordinated a donation from the Lehigh Acres American Legion and funds from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office’s Shop With a Cop to surprise Hudson and her children with new presents. In the middle of the investigation, the detectives received a tip.

According to the tipster, Hudson was storing at a family member’s house the presents she reported were missing. On December 4, 2023, deputies went to that house and found almost all of the presents that were reported as stolen.  

Hudson was immediately arrested. She was charged with one count of making a false report.

Lehigh Acres

Lehigh Acres is an expansive unincorporated community situated just 15 miles east of Fort Myers. Encompassing over 94 square miles, it ranks among Southwest Florida’s largest geographic areas and fastest-growing residential communities.

First developed in the mid-1950s by Chicago businessman Lee Ratner as a planned suburban area, Lehigh Acres was initially designed to attract retirees with affordable acreage. Over the decades, however, it has evolved into a vibrant, culturally diverse, family-oriented hub. Its sprawling layout features miles of freshwater canals, 16 lakes, and abundant open space, providing ample opportunities for freshwater fishing, kayaking, and outdoor recreation.

Nature enthusiasts frequently visit Harns Marsh, a 578-acre stormwater facility transformed into a premier bird-watching destination and wildlife preserve home to limpkins, snail kites, and alligators. Residents also enjoy local public golf courses, neighborhood parks, and quick access to the Caloosahatchee River corridor and Gulf Coast beaches.