Bethany Storro, Acid-in-the-Face Hoaxtress: Where Is She Now?

Bethany Storro was just one of a host of people who momentarily grabbed the spotlight in 2010 and dominated a news cycle or two while getting their 15 minutes of fame. In this series, AOL News is checking in on 25 of these newsmakers and giving them a 16th minute.

Bethany Storro stands before the judge in Clark County Superior Court, Sept. 29, 2010, in Vancouver, Wash.

Rick Bowmer, AP

Bethany Storro is undergoing psychiatric evaluation.

Bethany Storro Made News in 2010 When She: Splashed acid on her face and claimed to be the victim of a random attack.

The Full Story: In August, Storro, a 28-year-old woman from Vancouver, Wash., went to police there with a shocking story: While walking home alone, she was attacked with acid by a homeless woman. First, she claimed, the woman had taunted her mercilessly, brandishing the acid, saying, "Hey pretty girl, do you want to drink this?" and then the woman threw the acid on her -- severely burning Storro's face and upper body. Storro's hospitalization and recovery touched millions around the world, inspiring them with her story of resilience and determination to overcome her injuries. Facebook fan pages and groups with names like "Pray for Bethany Storro" sprouted overnight, soliciting thousands of dollars in donations. An appearance on "Oprah" was scheduled. Then word began to circulate through the blogosphere that there may be more to the story. The Vancouver police chief cited numerous discrepancies, "Oprah" canceled Storro's appearance, and finally, in mid-September, Storro finally admitted to police that the story was made up and that she had poured the acid on herself.

What's Happened Since? It might seem nearly impossible, but it appears that Storro's life has actually gotten worse since she admitted that she invented the attack. For starters, she had to return all the money that was donated to her. She is also being charged, in three separate cases, with theft involving the donations that she accepted. Though it is still unclear what her motives were for creating the hoax to begin with, she is undergoing counseling and psychiatric evaluation in hopes of finding an answer.

In Her Own Words: AOL News could not reach Storro for comment, but in a press conference, her parents apologized on her behalf, saying, "We acknowledge there was hurt and betrayal to the community and we apologize for that. Now she can begin to heal because the truth has been revealed."

Video: Press conference of police revealing episode to be a hoax

More 16th Minutes of Fame
Capri Anderson, Charlie Sheen's Porn-Star Gal Pal
Mary Bale, the Woman Who Put a Cat in the Trash
Anna Chapman, the Redheaded Russian Spy
Antoine Dodson, the 'Bed Intruder' Viral Superstar
Gary Faulkner, Osama bin Laden Hunter
Tony Hayward, the BP Exec Who Wanted His Life Back
Colton Harris-Moore, the Barefoot Bandit
Terry Jones, the Would-Be Koran-Burning Preacher
Jessie Lunderby, Sexy Jailer Fired Over Playboy Photos
Jimmy McMillan, the 'Rent Is Too Damn High' Guy
Isaiah Mustafa, the Old Spice Guy
Christine O'Donnell, Not-a-Witch Senate Candidate
'General' Larry Platt, 'Pants on the Ground' Rapper
Dharun Ravi and Molly Wei, Alleged Rutgers Cyberbullies
Juan Rodriguez, the Obama Rally Streaker
Ines Sainz, Sports Reporter Harassed by New York Jets
Faisal Shahzad, the Times Square Bomber
Rupesh Shingadia, Tiger Woods' 'Cigar Guy'
Steven Slater, the Runaway Jet Blue Flight Attendant
Bethany Storro, Acid-in-the-Face Hoaxtress
Abby Sunderland, Teenage Solo Sailor
Tilikum, the SeaWorld Killer Whale Who Killed His Trainer
John Tyner, the Don't 'Touch My Junk' Guy
Paul 'Bear' Vasquez, 'Double Rainbow' Video Guy