Carlee Russell faces potential criminal charges after false kidnapping claim, police say
MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) — Carlee Russell could face criminal charges after claiming she was kidnapped earlier this month in Alabama, according to the Hoover Police Department.
"We ask for your prayers for Carlee as she addresses her issues and attempts to move forward understanding that she made a mistake," Hoover Police Department Chief Nick Derzis read in a statement from Russell’s attorney.
Russell, 26, was reportedly missing in the Birmingham area for over 48 hours. At a press conference Monday, her lawyer gave some insight into what really happened.
"There was no kidnapping on Thursday, July 13, 2023,” Chief Derzis said.
The night of Russell’s "disappearance" she claimed to see a toddler wandering along Interstate 459, which caused her to pull over and get out of her car.
Russell's lawyer added she had no help in the incident.
"This was a single act done by herself. My client was not with anyone in any hotel with anyone from the time she was missing. My client apologizes for her actions to the community," the statement said.
Police said the motive behind Russell’s actions is unknown, but criminal charges could be headed her way.
We are currently in discussions with the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office in Bessemer about possible criminal charges later in this case and we will announce those charges when and if they are filed," Chief Derzis said.WPMI reached out to the public to see what they make of the situation.
"Maybe for attention? Again, I think it's a mental situation with her," Alabama resident, Symiria Parks said.
"We really don't know what she's been going through, you know? I mean evidently something went wrong,” Alabama resident, Anthony Pierce said. "She took up a lot of time with law enforcement and everything and even made me feel sorry for her. But I just hope she'll learn a lesson from it."
Before Russell “disappeared”, police said she searched several topics online.
On July 11 at 7:30 am, the term, ‘do you have to pay for an amber alert’ was searched, On July 13 at 1:03 am the day of her disappearance, she searched how to take money from a register without being caught was searched," Chief Derzis said.She continued to search for things like Birmingham bus stations, one-way bus tickets to Nashville from Birmingham and ‘Taken,' a film about abduction, as well as other topics.
"She obviously thought this through and knew what she was doing so... Why would someone do that?" Resident Clara Ryan asked.
Some people said Russell shouldn't receive criminal charges because she could be suffering from mental health issues. However, one woman said if you do the crime, you should do the time.
"I don't think that's too much. I mean she wasted resources; she wasted people's time,” Ryan said. "She did her research so again, she knew what she was doing. She should know her repercussions."
No official charges have been made, the Hoover police chief said that is up to the district attorney.
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