UT student recants story of campus knife attack

3/16/2005

A University of Toledo student who said she was cut several times while being accosted by two males confessed to campus police yesterday that she injured herself and made up the assault to get attention.

Cassandra Livingston, 22, of West Toledo claimed she was attacked March 9 outside UT's Health and Human Services Building and then called for help on a nearby campus emergency phone. She was treated at Toledo Hospital for knife wounds in her left thigh, right shoulder, and neck.

A remorseful Ms. Livingston recanted the highly publicized story - that raised concerns across campus and suspicions among investigators - during a third interview with police. Authorities have not decided whether criminal charges will be filed against her, Chief John Dauer said.

He said a university counselor was called in to talk with Ms. Livingston, who told police she was having personal and family issues.

University spokesman Tobin Klinger said although he could not speak specifically to Ms. Livingston's case, the student conduct office reviews cases in which students are involved in criminal activity. The office decides whether there was a student code of conduct violation and any punishment, he said.