Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance’s troubles continue to escalate as he faces additional backlash for his unfounded claims about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. His latest fumble took a bizarre turn when a local woman’s missing cat, which Vance had suggested was taken by a Haitian, was found safe—hiding in the woman’s own basement.

The controversy began with Vance’s tweets on September 10, alleging that Haitian immigrants were stealing and eating pets. These baseless rumors, sparked by a third-hand account on a private Facebook group, were disavowed by the original poster. Despite the lack of credible evidence, Vance’s statements have stoked fear and division in the community.

Springfield Mayor Rue quickly called a press conference to address the fallout, condemning Vance’s rhetoric. Alongside promoting the pet-eating rumors, Vance also claimed a Springfield child had been murdered by an undocumented Haitian migrant, a statement that drew immediate backlash.

Compounding the issue, Vance’s statements included a shocking assertion that a Springfield child had been murdered by an undocumented Haitian migrant. This unfounded claim drew public ire, especially from Nathan Clark, the father of Aiden Clark, who tragically died in a bus crash. Speaking at a City Commission meeting, Clark accused politicians like Vance of exploiting his son’s death for political gain,

The backlash was swift. Parents kept their children home from school, and several local institutions faced bomb threats, forcing evacuations. In a show of community support, Blood Tribe, an activist group, stepped in, affirming their commitment to Springfield.

Amid this chaos, Vance doubled down on his claims as a spokesperson provided a police report alleging a resident’s pet was taken by Haitian neighbors. However, when reporters followed up with Anna Kilgore, the cat’s owner, she revealed that her pet, Miss Sassy, had merely been hiding in her basement the entire time. Kilgore, a Trump supporter, later apologized to her Haitian neighbors, aided by her daughter and a translation app, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Vance’s allegations extended to claims about rising communicable diseases linked to Haitian migrants, yet health department data showed a decline in infectious diseases in the area, further undermining his credibility.

In a show of unity, Mayor Rue and Governor DeWine held a roundtable with other Ohio mayors, denouncing the divisive rhetoric and reaffirming support for the local Haitian community. Many Springfield residents have sought to counter the negative narrative by supporting Haitian-owned businesses, demonstrating resilience amid Vance’s attacks.