Carlee Russell has confessed that the kidnapping that had many across the world praying for her safe return was…a hoax.
As reported, the Hoover, Alabama native disappeared on the night of July 13 after calling the police and claiming that she witnessed an abandoned toddler wandering alone on the interstate.
Responding officers found Russell’s wig and phone, igniting a mass search for the seemingly “missing” victim – as well as the child she alleged to have seen.
The first dramatic turn occurred when the 25-year-old returned to her parent’s home on July 15 and the second when Hoover Police gave a press conference that appeared to cast a huge cloud of doubt over the feasibility of her story.
Now, Russell herself is admitting that she made up the entire episode and is now facing possible criminal charges.
Full story below…
Hoover PD held another press briefing today (July 24) and shared that they received a prepared statement from Russell’s attorney Emory Anthony confirming Russell’s fabrication of the narrative:
The statement was addressed to Hoover PD Chief Nick Derzis. It read:
“Dear Chief Derzis, my client has given me permission to make the following statement on her behalf: There was no kidnapping on July 13, 2023. My client did not see a baby on the side of the road. My client did not leave the Hoover area when she was identified as a missing person. My client did not have any help in this incident, but this was a single act done by herself.
My client was not with anyone or at any hotel during the time she was missing.
My client apologizes for her actions to the community, the volunteers who were searching for her, to the Hoover Police Department and other agencies, as well as to her friends and family.
We ask for your prayers for Carlee as she addresses her issues and intends to move understanding that she made a mistake. Carlee again asks for your forgiveness and prayers.”
Sigh.