Bogus Social Media Post About 'Missing Officer' Debunked in Cape May

CAPE MAY — A viral social media post claiming that a woman named Katie Cunningham is missing from Cape May has been confirmed as a hoax, with local police warning residents not to fall for the misleading information. The post, which features a decade-old image of a blond woman in a police uniform, alleges that Cunningham’s vehicle was found abandoned with her daughter inside and calls for the public’s help in locating her. However, Cape May Police Chief Dekon Fashaw said the claims are false and the uniform in the image does not match any department in Cape May County.
Authorities believe the widely circulated post is part of a broader scam that has made rounds in multiple states, including Arizona, Texas and New York. Despite using a real photo, the image is from a former officer in Great Falls, Montana, who has been verified to be alive and working as a school resource officer. Cape May police have been receiving a growing number of concerned calls due to the post. Similar posts elsewhere have also caused confusion, prompting law enforcement agencies to publicly debunk the misinformation. Officials urge the public not to engage with or share the false post, and to remain cautious when encountering emotionally charged content online that lacks verification.