Phone calls to the Sheriff's substation in Oakhurst reported that someone kidnapped Baker from a Modesto hotel and was holding him for ransom.
But when the sheriff himself called Baker's business in Oakhurst, Baker was right there at work. He later met with a detective to prove he was okay.
"I don't know what's behind the whole thing," said Madera County Sheriff John Anderson. "He's still involved in some case over in Fresno and (this) certainly could be involved with that."
The 85-year-old has been in and out of court in Fresno several times over the last four years on a child molestation charge.
His attorney says Baker was set up by a group of gypsies.
He's scheduled back in court in two weeks.
