Acid Attack Hoax: Bethany Storro's Parents Apologize

VANCOUVER, Wash. (CBS/AP/KOIN) The parents of Bethany Storro, the Vancouver woman who lied about having acid thrown in her face, said they were "deeply sorry" for their daughter's actions and didn't understand why she made up such a story.

PICTURES: Bethany Storro, Acid Attack "Victim"

"She's obviously dealing with some deep internal emotional and psychological problems that we had no knowledge of," said mother Nancy Neuwelt as she stood with her husband Joe outside their Vancouver home during a statement to media Friday. "We hope that she'll get the help that she needs."

According to CBS affiliate KOIN, a family friend said Storro is already receiving professional help.

Storro, 28, originally told police an African American woman approached her Aug. 30 outside a Starbucks in downtown Vancouver and asked, "Hey pretty girl, want something to drink?," before throwing acid in her face.

Police cited "several discrepancies" in her account of the incident. Questions arose regarding the acid burn patterns on Storro's face, which weren't consistent with her story that someone threw the substance in her face and investigators grew skeptical when she said was wearing sunglasses just after 7:00 p.m. the day of the "attack."

On Thursday Storro admitted that her story was a hoax.

Vancouver Police chief Clifford Cook said any decision to charge Storro with a crime would be up to the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, but when asked if she would be charged with filing a false police report, police Commander Marla Schuman responded: "At this point, yes, that would certainly fit."

Storro's parents say money that was donated to their daughter would be returned "in the appropriate manner."

Complete Coverage of Bethany Storro on Crimesider.