Woman accused of shooting self in carjacking hoax

JERSEYVILLE -- Authorities say a southwestern Illinois woman shot herself in the chest as part of a made-up story about a carjacking and robbery.

Prosecutors in Jersey County have charged 55-year-old Charlene Cherry of Cottage Hills with felony disorderly conduct.

She's accused of telling investigators she was carjacked by two men last Friday in Alton and forced to drive into Jersey County, where she was shot and robbed of $6,000. But Jersey County Sheriff Mark Kallal says Cherry actually shot herself.

Kallal declined to discuss Cherry's possible motives for making up the story, and he wouldn't discuss her mental state.

Cherry remains hospitalized in St. Louis.

The felony charge is punishable by up to three years in prison.