Colo. Springs Police investigate middle schooler’s alleged AI scam to claim lost dog reward

Krdo · Apr 17, 2026 · 832 words · By Michael Logerwell

headphones Listen to the eFinder podcast briefing

Generate a natural audio summary of this story

Daily briefing

What to know about Colo. Springs Police investigate middle schooler’s alleged AI scam to claim lost dog reward

Springs Police investigate middle schooler’s alleged AI scam to claim lost dog reward COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.

Claims checked 8

Techniques found 0

Topics 0

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center67%

Right33%

3 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Springs Police investigate middle schooler’s alleged AI scam to claim lost dog reward COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.

Why it matters

(KRDO) - It was during the COVID lockdowns of 2020 that Wendy Bliss-Highfill adopted Freya, a mini schnauzer dog.

Common ground

"She's just been like my second child, third child," Bliss-Highfill said.

Perspective signals

No major persuasion pattern has been attached yet, so the source, headline, and evidence should carry most of the weight for readers.

Follow-up questions

What concrete event or decision sits underneath the headline: Colo. Springs Police investigate middle schooler’s alleged AI scam to claim lost dog reward?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that The picture wasn't actually her dog. It was an AI-generated image of Freya. The Google Gemini logo appears in the lower-right-hand corner?
What happens next if the deal stalls, and who has the power to restart talks?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://krdo.com/news/2026/04/17/colo-springs-police-investigate-middle-schooler…

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 8 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

info Single Source 7

check_circle Corroborated 1

info

Claim 1: “The picture wasn't actually her dog. It was an AI-generated image of Freya. The Google Gemini logo appears in the lower-right-hand corner”

SINGLE SOURCE

The evidence provided consists of generic links to Google Images and Pixabay, with no specific mention of an AI-generated image of Freya or a Gemini logo.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Google Images. The most comprehensive image search on the web.
https://images.google.com/

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Find your perfect royalty-free image or video to download and use. Royalty-free No attribution required High quality images.
https://pixabay.com/

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Search the world's information, including webpages, images, videos and more. Google has many special features to help you find exactly what you're looking for.
https://images.google.us/

info

Claim 2: “Wendy Bliss-Highfill adopted Freya, a mini schnauzer dog, during the COVID lockdowns of 2020.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The provided evidence consists of general information about Miniature Schnauzers and adoption sites, but does not mention Wendy Bliss-Highfill or her specific dog Freya.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The Giant Schnauzer and the Miniature Schnauzer were developed from the Standard Schnauzer and are the result of outcrosses with other breeds exhibiting the desirable characteristics needed for the Sc…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schnauzer

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Here is how to get the Brand new MUNCHKIN CAT AND THE MINIATURE SCHNAUZER pet in Adopt Me! The homepass update is here in Adopt Me for a limited time!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d4kM-TpCe4

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Thinking about getting a Miniature Schnauzer puppy or dog? Why buy one for sale when you can adopt! Find out if this dog breed is the right fit for you with Petfinder.
https://www.petfinder.com/dogs-and-puppies/breeds/miniature-…

info

Claim 3: “the family then called the police, and she was charged with trespassing, a misdemeanor crime.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The evidence provided for this claim consists of irrelevant videos about children's pretend play and does not mention any trespassing charges against Wendy Bliss-Highfill.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Apr 29, 2024 · Thank you for visiting our channel dedicated to preserving the legacy of Wendy Whoppers. Our goal is to curate a collection of her work from yesteryears, celebrating her contribution to…
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8xofly

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Jul 13, 2022 · Wendy pretend play with a giant inflatable drive thru car wash toy for kids! Wendy’s pink car is in need of a car wash because it is super dirty. She goes to Uncle K’s car wash to get i…
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8cg76s

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Dec 26, 2022 · Do You Like Broccoli Ice Cream Song with Wendy pretend play singing fun nursery rhymes for kids! Have fun singing along with our cute nursery rhymes songs. Do you like broccoli ice crea…
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8gnlpw

info

Claim 4: “Bliss-Highfill offered a $1,000 reward for whoever returns Freya.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The provided evidence contains irrelevant videos about 'Wendy Pretend Play' and 'Wendy Whoppers' and does not mention a reward for a dog named Freya.

travel_explore

check_circle

Claim 5: “Police to say they are, "seeing a significant rise in scams involving various forms of AI, including images, deep fake videos, voice cloning, and relationship scams"”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent sources (WSJ and other web search results) confirm a general rise in AI-driven scams involving voice cloning, deepfakes, and relationship scams, aligning with the police statement described in the claim.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Investigators say scammers are now using artificial intelligence to create fake online identities that appear more realistic than ever. The schemes often target women through dating apps and social me…
https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/05/12/experts-…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Criminals used artificial intelligence-based software to impersonate a chief executive’s voice and demand a fraudulent transfer of funds in March in what cybercrime experts described as an unusual cas…
https://www.wsj.com/articles/fraudsters-use-ai-to-mimic-ceos…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Voice Cloning Scams. • Scammers use AI to replicate a person’s voice, often mimicking someone the victim knows. • This impersonation can lead to requests for money or sensitive information under the g…
https://www.thebuc.org/post/ai-scams-a-guide-to-defending-yo…

info

Claim 6: “Freya, the dog, is still missing.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The evidence provided consists of old books about dog breeding from 1906 and 1911 and does not mention the current status of a dog named Freya.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Title: The dog and how to breed, train and keep him. Containing articles on the breeding, training and keeping of the dog, as well as the history, description, and peculiarities of the different breed…
https://www.flickr.com/photos/internetarchivebookimages/2080…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Title: The dog book. A popular history of the dog, with practical information as to care and management of house, kennel, and exhibition dogs; and descriptions of all the important breeds Identifier: …
https://www.flickr.com/photos/internetarchivebookimages/2011…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Identifier: newbookofdogcomp01leig Title: The new book of the dog : a comprehensive natural history of British dogs and their foreign relatives, with chapters on law, breeding, kennel management, and …
https://www.flickr.com/photos/internetarchivebookimages/1474…

info

Claim 7: “the group quickly identified that number as one belonging to a classmate and gave her the child's address.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The claim is explicitly supported by a KRDO news report stating that Bliss-Highfill said a group identified a classmate's number and provided an address. No other independent sources corroborate this specific detail.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — According to Bliss-Highfill, the group quickly identified that number as one belonging to a classmate and gave her the child's address. "I started knocking on the doors.
https://krdo.com/news/2026/04/17/colo-springs-police-investi…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Can you track the location of a caller when the only thing you have is just their cell phone number?I did and I even called him to let him know I had his nam...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zcj7Yd1ByKo

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Check a phone number using our phone number search tool. Lookup a number associated with a user or payment to gain additional insight into quality. This phone lookup tool also performs unique risk sco…
https://www.ipqualityscore.com/free-phone-number-lookup

info

Claim 8: “CSPD can confirm that we have an open and active investigation into this situation.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The evidence provided consists of general information about the state of Colorado and the official state website, but contains no mention of a CSPD investigation into Wendy Bliss-Highfill.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Colorado is noted for its landscape of mountains, forests, high plains, mesas, canyons, plateaus, rivers, and desert lands. It encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the northeas…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — From towering mountains and vibrant cities to rich cultural heritage, every part of Colorado offers a unique blend of experiences. Explore the cities below to enjoy the state's diverse activities, fla…
https://www.colorado.com/

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Feb 18, 2026 · Renew your driver license and ID card online using a credit card. File new claims and manage existing claims for state unemployment benefits. Apply for or manage your medical, food, cas…
https://www.colorado.gov/

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.