WILKES-BARRE -- Police said a teenager was kidnapped last month right in front of her home by an ex-boyfriend waving a gun, even firing it in the air. The teen now says she sees it differently.
It was just a few weeks ago along Eastview Drive, when police say 16-year-old Jenea Patterson was arriving home with some friends, and her ex-boyfriend Walter Lewis was waiting for her. He had a gun, and police believe he used it to threaten others around him while he kidnapped her. On Thursday, Patterson told a different story.
Police believe 21-year-old Walter Lewis kidnapped Patterson last month, which prompted a statewide Amber Alert.
On Thursday, Patterson said she was not kidnapped, and went with Lewis on her own.
“I don't take that it was kidnapping. I went willingly, so I’m going to basically say that,” Patterson said.
When asked how she can she say she went willingly after witnesses say Lewis threatened them a gun, and even fired a shot into the air, she told Newswatch 16 this:
“I decided to go, that's why.”
Patterson's father says his daughter is traumatized, and she's in denial about what happened. Patterson maintains she still has feelings for Lewis.
“I care about him,” she said.
A man who drove Patterson home the night she was kidnapped had previously told Newswatch 16 that Jenea was screaming that night for Lewis to stop. That witness also said Patterson went with Lewis so no one else got hurt, because Lewis broke his nose after pistol whipping him.
The preliminary hearing that was scheduled for Thursday was continued and is scheduled for next month.