Abduction Hoax Mom Free on Bail

The Bucks County mother accused of staging an abduction hoax that began near Philadelphia and ended at Disney World posted bail Saturday. She was required to post 10% of the $1 million bail set late Friday night.

Sweeten's lawyer says family and friends pooled their money together to come up with the cash.

"There's obviously a very strong sentiment in the community that she's a wonderful person -- a very decent person -- and people were willing to put their money where their mouths are," says attorney Louis Busico.

A drained-looking Bonnie Sweeten, 38, appeared in an Orlando courtroom for a brief hearing Friday morning before detectives from Bucks County escorted her to the airport for the flight home. Sweeten's plane touched down at Philadelphia International Airport shortly before 9:30 p.m.

A district judge in Richboro, Pa. said Friday night that he was concerned that the Feasterville mother of three would flee before her trial. She can be released if she posts 10 percent of the bail amount, or $100,000.

Defense lawyer Louis Busico told reporters before the court appearance that Sweeten is not a flight risk and was not running from the law when she went to Florida with her daughter.

"I mean, she went to Disney Land with her daughter. She wasn't under house arrest, she wasn't under any bail conditions saying she couldn't go anywhere. She went on a plane with her child to the most popular destination in the country," says Louis Busico, Sweeten's attorney.

Bonnie Sweeten faces misdemeanor charges of false reports and identity theft. Police are also investigating whether she stole money from a family member or others, but no related charges have been filed.

After consulting with her attorney, Sweeten waived extradition during the hearing in Orange County, Fla. that was held shortly after 9 a.m. and lasted less than a minute.

Told by the judge that the matter is being expedited and she'll be back in Pennsylvania soon, the choked-up mother of three from Feasterville said, "Thank you."

"Yes, ma'am. Good luck," The judge said.

"Thank you," Sweeten said again.

Sweeten remained at the Orange County jail awaiting the completion of extradition paperwork and then headed to the Orlando airport.

Prosecutors allege the 38-year-old mother of three told 911 dispatchers Tuesday that she and her 9-year-old daughter were abducted by two black males and placed in the trunk of a Cadillac after a fender-bender in Upper Southampton Township.

Investigators searched but were skeptical of the report all along, especially after finding the SUV without damage in Center City Philadelphia early Wednesday. Then, they discovered she allegedly borrowed a former co-workers driver's license -- saying she needed it to roll over a 401(k) account -- used that to bypass Philadelphia International Airport security and hopped a flight to Orlando.

Authorities ultimately arrested Sweeten and took custody of her daughter Wednesday night at the Grand Floridian hotel.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office first approached and questioned Sweeten at the resort, but they have not answered questions about what she told them.

She had apparently withdrawn large sums of cash before going down to the Orlando area, prosecutors have said.

Her daughter, Julia Rakoczy, arrived back in Bucks County with her father, Anthony Rakoczy, Thursday night. She was reunited with her father at an Orlando police station on Thursday afternoon.

On Friday morning, the father declined to be interviewed, saying he needed the media to respect their privacy and give them a little bit of time.

Sweeten's husband, Richard, went out Friday morning but ran back into his house when he saw a news crew. He said earlier in the week he wanted his wife home, and that they can work through any issue.

Bonnie and Richard bought a newly constructed, 2400-square-foot home in late 2006 for $425,000. She has three daughters, ages 15, 9 and 8 months.

Richard said that he is struggling to sort out the rumors of theft and marriage problems surrounding the case. Appearing Friday on NBC's "Today" show, he said he wanted to know "more than anybody" what caused his wife to flee. He was unaware of any money problems but said she handled nearly all of their finances.

"I might be behind on my mortgage," Sweeten said.

Sweeten's lawyer tells FOX 29 his client will seek mental health treatment.  "She needs some mental health treatent. and she's ready and willing to receive that. so it's better for that reason alone that she's not behind bars. so she can receive the proper treatment which will begin sometime next week."