When Jennifer Wilbanks, 32, fled her impending marriage, she took the cowards’ way out and blamed her disapperance on being kidnapped. Her efforts caused police in 3 states to waste manhours and money on searching for the perpetrators. In Georgia volunteers went out in search of her. Her husband-to-be became a suspect. Now, it turns out she just needed some time alone.

Did poor, confused Jennifer commit a crime? Or, does she deserve our sympathy for a youthful discretion? Here in Utah, a college girl went to Oregon for a summer job and disappeared. She, or her body, has never been found (that I know of). Similar scenarios have occurred in a few other states in recent years also. Every time, the community turns out and searches, usually in vain, because we value human life. Because we couldn’t live with ourselves if an extra hour or two of searching could have saved their life. Because we hope that if we are ever the victim others will do the same for us. Even if it is just to recover a body and bring closure for our loved ones.

Jennifer isn’t some “kid” who still has growing up to do. At 32 years old she is an adult, and, presumably, capable of functioning within an adult world. Should she be punished?

With a simple lie Jennifer shattered our sense of security and community. One of the earliest lessons we learn when we first leave “home” and become an adult is that actions have consequences. Do we give Jennifer a pass this time and shield her from the consequences? Or, do we say she’s suffered enough and leave her alone?

I say send her to jail, make her pay a big fine, give her a few years of community service. Life is too fragile, there are too many unknowns in day-to-day existence to let a pretty face get away with this kind of prank.

I know that if I ever go missing, I hope thousands turn out to search for me. I hope they find me. I hope they don’t stay home because these things usually turn out to be “hoaxes.”

Am I just another insensitive jerk?