A 14-year-old Dawson County girl who authorities say made up a story about being raped likely will face charges in connection with the incident.

Dawson County Sheriff's Sgt. Johnny Holtzclaw said the teen recanted her story prior to a scheduled follow-up interview with investigators.

At the very least, Holtzclaw said, she will be charged with making false statements. Other charges, if any, could be finalized later this week.

Dawson County Middle School counselors reported the alleged assault to authorities after the teen told friends she had been raped by a man who followed her home from the school bus stop Nov. 5 in the Fern Valley area of western Dawson County.

Inconsistencies in her statements and a lack of physical evidence led investigators to question the account.

"Through information obtained through the course of the investigation, authorities now believe that the allegations are unfounded," Sheriff's Maj. John Cagle said.

According to sheriff's reports, the teen said she saw an unknown white man with long, black hair and a closely shaven beard in a field off Ga. 136 as she walked toward her house from the bus stop.

In the wake of the allegations, the agency increased patrols at bus stops before and after school.

Cagle said officers felt it was important to notify the public that the allegations were false as soon as possible.

The sheriff's office and school system received many calls from concerned parents after they learned about the report.

"Although we cannot provide information regarding student disciplinary actions, I will say that any time we receive a false allegation of a serious nature, the situation will be treated in a severe manner," said Keith Porter, superintendent of Dawson County Schools.

"Student reports are important in keeping our schools safe, and the vast majority of the time these reports are accurate and useful. I am very appreciative of the attention given to this matter by the sheriff's department."