Couple fakes homicide scene, claims it was joke

SANDUSKY, Ohio -- An Ohio couple is facing charges after police say they staged a fake murder scene and sent it to relatives on Facebook.

In messages obtained by WEWS, the couple on Thursday sent a photo of a woman covered in what appeared to be blood, with a knife nearby. A message read: "Please help me! I really didn't mean to. I don't remember. We was arguing and I woke up to this."

According to authorities, "hysterical" relatives called 911.

When officers arrived, the couple said it was all a joke and police discovered that the scene in the couple's bathtub had been staged.

Police say Nataleigh Schlette and Micah Risner are charged with inducing panic. Both pleaded not guilty Friday.

The couple couldn't be reached for comment. No telephone numbers were listed for them. Court records didn't indicate whether they have an attorney.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.