The Alabama Women, Carlee Russell, who was reported missing and later returned home on July 15, has been revealed as never actually being missing, as announced by Hoover Police Department Chief Nicholas Derzis during a press conference on Monday.
According to a statement provided to the police by Russell’s attorney, Emory Anthony, there was no kidnapping involved in the incident. The statement, read by Derzis, confirmed that it was a singular act carried out by Russell without any external assistance.
The police have a scheduled meeting with Anthony to discuss the case, and they are also in communication with the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office regarding potential criminal charges related to the incident. However, no meetings with Russell or her family are currently arranged.
The initial claims made by Russell, stating she was taken by a man and a woman when she stopped to check on a toddler on the highway, were disproved by surveillance footage, which did not show any abduction taking place.
Russell’s initial 911 call reporting the toddler on Interstate 459 also lacked evidence, as investigators could not find any signs of a child on the side of the road.
Despite the extensive investigation prompted by Russell’s claims, the truth eventually emerged, unveiling the incident as a hoax.