Calif. Mother Who Was Kidnapped and Forced to Rob a Bank Falsely Painted as a Criminal in Court

Kidnapping victim forced to rob bank falsely painted as a criminal in court

This story originally aired on Feb. 11, 2023. It was updated on May 24, 2025. The only monsters that had

Calif. mother who was kidnapped and forced to rob a bank falsely painted as a criminal in court

Three masked gunmen break into California bank manager Michelle Renee's home and hold her and her young daughter hostage before forcing her to rob her own bank. But in court, the defense would try to pin the plot on the victim.

The Kidnapping of Michelle and Breea Renee

A mother is forced to rob a bank to save her daughter’s life, then her abductor falsely claims the mother was in on the crime. "48 Hours" contributor Tracy Smith reports.