Columbus Police Department officials, in concert with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, are dismissing an e-mail circulating Northeast Mississippi regarding a kidnapped 3-year-old as a hoax.

The e-mail, which began circulating Tuesday, claimed a 3-year-old child had been kidnapped by an individual in a van with Monroe County tags.

Terrie Songer, information officer for the CPD, says the claims made in the e-mail are unfounded.

"When we got the report (Wednesday) we called Monroe County (Sheriff's Office) and they don't know who sent it out," said Songer. "They are not aware who sent (the e-mail) out."