Carlee Russell, the Alabama woman who returned home after going missing for two days, admitted that she was never missing.
Chief Nicholas Derzis shared a statement issued to the Hoover Police Department at a news conference Monday.
“My client has given me permission to make the following statement on her behalf. There was no kidnapping on Thursday, July 13th 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. This was [a] single act done by herself,” the statement provided by Russell’s attorney, Emory Anthony, reads.
“We ask for your prayers for Carlee as she addresses her issues and attempts to move forward. Understanding that she made a mistake in this matter, Carlee again asks for your forgiveness and prayers,” the statement continued.
Russell told investigators that she was driving Thursday to her home in Hoover from her job in Birmingham and placed a call to 911 to report the alleged lone toddler. Russell traveled 600 yards while she claimed she was following the child on the phone with 911.
Derzis stated authorities were talking with local prosecutors about possibly filing criminal charges against her.
“We still don’t know what happened in those 49 hours, where she was. Did she have any help? We have no idea,” Derzis went on. “We wanted the focus to be, bring her home. She got home. We’re very excited about that. That facts that I (spoke about) last Wednesday pretty much showed that we knew it was a hoax.”
Police still have no clue as to what Russell’s motivation was.
