We had a thing here in LA area where a few people saw a 13 yr old girl being forced into an SUV by two teen boys. They had a partial plate number. No one was reported missing but it was broadcast on news.
Next day they found out the the girl was 'stomping away' from home, angry. Said on her phone to MOm that she was running away. Mom had big brother go get her and bring her home. [My son is 4 yrs older than my daughter and I have done same thing a few times over the years. ]
Anyway, wondering if maybe the witnesses to the abduction were unsure if it was really an abduction or a kid that did not want to go home, kind of thing. But then when Mom goes looking for her girl that never returned home, they realized what it was?