LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- A mother faces possible criminal charges after reporting her son missing Wednesday morning, but in fact he was not missing at all.

The Lawrence County Sheriff says a South Point mother called authorities just after noon to report that her 11-year-old son had been missing from their home since 8 a.m.

The Sheriff’s Office and members of the Fayette and Chesapeake Fire Departments began an extensive search for the boy. About an hour-and-a-half after the search began, the Sheriff says they learned the boy was never missing.

Sheriff Jeff Lawless says that the mother, in her state of mind, thought the child had been with her when she traveled to Ohio Wednesday morning, but in fact he had remained in Huntington with friends where they spent the night.

Sheriff Lawless says his office and Lawrence County Children’s Services are now conducting a criminal investigation into the care and well being of the boy.

“We are very happy that the child was found in good health,” said Lawless. “We are concerned about this lady’s mental and physical state this morning and whether or not her children should be in her care at this time.”

The Sheriff is not releasing the woman’s name.