Friends Thought Indiana Teen Was Dead After Text Hoax

Mike Sinkfield (Facebook)
Mike Sinkfield (Facebook)
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Updated: 11/08/2012 8:50 am
 FISHERS, Ind. (AP) - Many friens and classmates of a suburban Indianapolis teenager thought he was dead until he boarded the school bus following a hoax text message apparently sent by whoever had the teen's missing cellphone.

Fourteen-year-old Michael Sinkfield tells The Indianapolis Star  that he found out about his supposed death when some people were crying when he got on the bus Monday on his way to Riverside Junior High in Fishers.

Word of Michael's death had spread over social media after a text message Sunday night from someone pretending to be his father said he had died in a car crash.

Classmate Micah Lee says some students were planning to put flowers on his classroom seats.

Michael's mother says the school principal called expressing condolences but later apologized for the mix-up.


(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of WKRC-TV :: Cincinnati Weather and Forecasts, Cincinnati News, Breaking News, and Sports for the Cincinnati area, Ohio, northern Kentucky, Indiana, and the tristate area

Barnyard - 11/8/2012 1:20 PM
0 Votes
Although I am glad he is okay, how does anyone really know if the phone was stolen? He could have said that and then sent the text himself to get attention and see how many people cared.

Hawkster8458 - 11/8/2012 12:24 PM
0 Votes
glad he wasn't dead but what was the point of this story?

Lee62 - 11/8/2012 10:15 AM
2 Votes
Those friends got a happy surprise when he climbed onto the bus, would ya say?! I hope the thief of the phone is found (yeah, I know, I'm dreaming).

Rebecca73 - 11/8/2012 9:24 AM
4 Votes
Why is this news?

LifesKarma - 11/8/2012 9:08 AM
3 Votes
Not cool!
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