Carlee Russell – latest: Donors $63k money withheld despite abduction hoax claims

Crime Stoppers have walked back on their promise to return donors almost $63,000 even as Carlee Russel returned home by herself following her claimed 13 July abduction.

Ms Russell, 25, told police she was kidnapped after stopping to help a toddler in diapers who was walking alone on Interstate 459 on the evening of 13 July.

She came back home two days after the alleged abduction.

More than $63,000 were raised during the two-day search for the Alabama woman. But the organisation that offers anonymous tips about criminal activity now said the money will not be returned after initially making the promise.

“This investigation is still ongoing, and accordingly, there is no basis to refund any contributions at this time,” Crime Stoppers said.

Meanwhile, Alabama police have expressed doubt over Ms Russell’s abduction claims and revealed she appeared to have made suspicious internet searches about kidnappings prior to the incident.

Her friend has pleaded with the public to stop cyberbullying Ms Russell.

Key Points

• Crime Stoppers backtrack on promise to return reward money

• ‘Until she’s physically & mentally stable again she is not able to give any updates’

• Who is Carlee Russell?

• VIDEO: New details of Carlee Russell's disappearance under scrutiny

• Kidnapping claims cannot be verified, police say

• Russell looked up the movie Taken before disappearing

Carlee Russell’s parents insist she was kidnapped as police cast doubt on claims

14:01 , Bevan Hurley

The parents of Carlee Russell, the 25-year-old Alabama woman who disappeared for 48 hours after reporting that she spotted a child on the side of a highway, have spoken out for the first time since their daughter returned.

“We tried to hug as best we could, but I had to stand back because she was not in a good state,” Talitha Russell told The Daily Beast earlier this week about seeing her daughter return home. “So we had to stand back and let medical professionals work with her.”

While Ms Russell has been reported safe, mystery still swirls around what happened in the two days in which she vanished.

Police have since shared their doubt about her claims, suggesting that her internet search history indicates that she may have staged her own kidnapping.

Carlee Russell’s parents insist she was kidnapped as police cast doubt on claims

Carlee Russell ‘fired’ from beauty spa job, according to report

13:01 , Bevan Hurley

Carlee Russell has been fired from the Alabama beauty spa where she was working on the night she claimed to have been kidnapped, according to a new report.

Owner Stuart Rome told the New York Post Ms Russell was no longer employed at the Woodhouse spa in Birmingham, and that staff were “pissed” about her abduction claims.

The 25-year-old told police she was kidnapped while stopping to help a toddler on Interstate 459 on 13 July. However, police say they have doubts about her account after finding suspicious internet searches on her phone.

Mr Rome said staff had been devastated by Ms Russell’s disappearance, and had passed out flyers in an effort to help find her.

“As the information came out that there were some questionable things, we’ve been a little pissed off, mainly because so many people took so much time out to search,” Mr Rome toldthe New York Post.

‘Think about her mental health’

12:00 , Bevan Hurley

Carlee Russell’s boyfriend has pleaded with the public to stop cyberbullying the Alabama nursing student amid mounting suspicion she faked her own abduction.

“I know what it seems like what she did. Just stop bullying on social media,” Thomar Latrell Simmons told the New York Post.

“Think about her mental health. She doesn’t deserve that. She doesn’t. Nobody deserves to be cyberbullied.”

Ms Russell, 25, told police she was kidnapped after stopping to help a toddler in diapers walking alone on Interstate 459 on the evening of 13 July.

Police arrived five minutes later to find her red Mercedes still running, and her cellphone, wallet and wig in the car.

While Ms Russell was missing, Mr Simmons appealed for information from the public to help find her.

He later deleted a social media post stating that his girlfriend had been abducted.

Carlee Russell sent several bizarre tweets before disappearing

11:00 , Bevan Hurley

Before 25-year-old Carlee Russell disappeared for 49 hours, she posted a series of bizarre tweets.

On the day she went missing on 13 July, she tweeted at 8.55pm: “today was a GREAT day God be looking out im telling you!!”

One minute later, Ms Russell wrote: “someone to tell you ‘i love you’ and don’t got a reason.”

Finally, she tweeted, “yeah i want a family now” at 9.19pm. Just moments later, around 9.30pm, the Alabama woman called 911 and told detectives that she was following a lost toddler along the interstate.

After she returned home, Ms Russell claimed was abducted by a man with “orange hair.” She turned up on foot at her parent’s home with $107 tucked in her right sock, and alleged she had barely survived the encounter.

Kelly Rissman has the full story.

Carlee Russell sent several bizarre tweets before disappearing

Carlee Russell claimed she was kidnapped by a man with orange hair. Police say they can’t verify any of it

09:30 , Bevan Hurley

Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell vanished on 13 July after calling 911 to report she had seen a toddler walking on the side of Interstate 459 in Alabama.

The 25-year-old told dispatch she stopped her car to check on the child, and called a family member before losing contact, according to the Hoover Police Department.

By the time officers arrived five minutes later, Ms Russell had disappeared with her car engine still running, and the toddler was nowhere to be found.

Law enforcement and family mounted a desperate search for the missing woman and pleaded with the public for help.

Then just over 48 hours later, police were notified that Ms Russell had returned home on foot.

She told detectives that she had been kidnapped by a white man with “orange hair”, and held captive in a semi-truck trailer and house before escaping.

On Wednesday, Hoover Police Department Nicholas Derzis cast doubt on Ms Russell’s claims at a press conference and said she was refusing requests to be interviewed.

What really happened to Carlee Russell?

Four unanswered questions in the mysterious case of Carlee Russell

08:01 , Bevan Hurley

Law enforcement in Hoover, Alabama left the public with more questions than answers after a press conference on Wednesday in which they revealed Carlee Russell’s disappearance and kidnapping may have been fabricated.

Hoover police chief Nick Derzis told reporters that authorities were “unable to verify” most of the statements that Ms Russell gave police about her whereabouts during the 49 hours she was missing.

Ariana Baio examines four unanswered questions about the perplexing case.

Four unanswered questions in the mysterious case of Carlee Russell

Crime Stoppers backtrack on promise to return reward money

06:44 , Shweta Sharma

Crime Stoppers, the organisation that offers anonymous tips about criminal activity, has backtracked on promises that it would return donors almost $63,000 after Carlee Russel returned home by herself following her claimed 13 July abduction.

Ms Russell, 25, told police she was kidnapped after stopping to help a toddler in diapers who was walking alone on Interstate 459 on the evening of 13 July.

She came back home two days after the alleged abduction.

More than $63,000 were raised by Crime Stoppers during the two-day search for the Alabama woman. But the organisation has now said the money will not be returned after initially making the promise.

“This investigation is still ongoing, and accordingly, there is no basis to refund any contributions at this time,” Crime Stoppers said.

“Furthermore, the Hoover Police Department has not requested for any donor contributions to be released or refunded.”

‘Think about her mental health’

06:30 , Bevan Hurley

Carlee Russell’s boyfriend has pleaded with the public to stop cyberbullying the Alabama nursing student amid mounting suspicion she faked her own abduction.

“I know what it seems like what she did. Just stop bullying on social media,” Thomar Latrell Simmons told the New York Post.

“Think about her mental health. She doesn’t deserve that. She doesn’t. Nobody deserves to be cyberbullied.”

Ms Russell, 25, told police she was kidnapped after stopping to help a toddler in diapers walking alone on Interstate 459 on the evening of 13 July.

Police arrived five minutes later to find her red Mercedes still running, and her cellphone, wallet and wig in the car.

While Ms Russell was missing, Mr Simmons appealed for information from the public to help find her.

He later deleted a social media post stating that his girlfriend had been abducted.

Police are using ‘every other synonym for lie except saying she lied’

05:04 , Bevan Hurley

An Alabama lawyer has outlined the possible crimes Carlee Russell may have committed after police haven’t been able to verify her claims about her 49-hour disappearance.

The 25-year-old claims she was kidnapped, but police have shared her internet search history which suggests the ordeal may have been staged.

Birmingham lawyer Eric Guster, a longtime criminal defence attorney, told WVTM13 that he, like many others, grew interested in the case. He added that the message coming from the police was clear.

“She says she was kidnapped, and a kidnapping didn’t happen. (They say) our citizens are safe. There’s not a kidnapper out there. So, they use every other synonym for lie except saying she lied,” he told the local TV station.

The attorney added that the search for Ms Russell wasted time and funds for both the police and members of the community.

The Independent’s Gustaf Kilander has the story.

Police using ‘every synonym for lie’ in Carlee Russell case, lawyer says

Carlee Russell ‘fired’ from beauty spa job, according to report

03:30 , Bevan Hurley

Carlee Russell has been fired from the Alabama beauty spa where she was working on the night she claimed to have been kidnapped, according to a new report.

Owner Stuart Rome told the New York Post Ms Russell was no longer employed at the Woodhouse spa in Birmingham, and that staff were “pissed” about her abduction claims.

The 25-year-old told police she was kidnapped while stopping to help a toddler on Interstate 459 on 13 July. However, police say they have doubts about her account after finding suspicious internet searches on her phone.

Mr Rome said staff had been devastated by Ms Russell’s disappearance, and had passed out flyers in an effort to help find her.

“As the information came out that there were some questionable things, we’ve been a little pissed off, mainly because so many people took so much time out to search,” Mr Rome toldthe New York Post.

Four unanswered questions in the mysterious case of Carlee Russell

02:04 , Bevan Hurley

Law enforcement in Hoover, Alabama left the public with more questions than answers after a press conference on Wednesday in which they revealed Carlee Russell’s disappearance and kidnapping may have been fabricated.

Hoover police chief Nick Derzis told reporters that authorities were “unable to verify” most of the statements that Ms Russell gave police about her whereabouts during the 49 hours she was missing.

Ariana Baio examines four unanswered questions about the perplexing case.

Four unanswered questions in the mysterious case of Carlee Russell

Carlee Russell claimed she was kidnapped by a man with orange hair. Police say they can’t verify any of it

01:04 , Bevan Hurley

Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell vanished on 13 July after calling 911 to report she had seen a toddler walking on the side of Interstate 459 in Alabama.

The 25-year-old told dispatch she stopped her car to check on the child, and called a family member before losing contact, according to the Hoover Police Department.

By the time officers arrived five minutes later, Ms Russell had disappeared with her car engine still running, and the toddler was nowhere to be found.

Law enforcement and family mounted a desperate search for the missing woman and pleaded with the public for help.

Then just over 48 hours later, police were notified that Ms Russell had returned home on foot.

She told detectives that she had been kidnapped by a white man with “orange hair”, and held captive in a semi-truck trailer and house before escaping.

On Wednesday, Hoover Police Department Nicholas Derzis cast doubt on Ms Russell’s claims at a press conference and said she was refusing requests to be interviewed.

What really happened to Carlee Russell?

Carlee Russell sent several bizarre tweets before disappearing

Monday 24 July 2023 00:00 , Bevan Hurley

Before 25-year-old Carlee Russell disappeared for 49 hours, she posted a series of bizarre tweets.

On the day she went missing on 13 July, she tweeted at 8.55pm: “today was a GREAT day God be looking out im telling you!!”

One minute later, Ms Russell wrote: “someone to tell you ‘i love you’ and don’t got a reason.”

Finally, she tweeted, “yeah i want a family now” at 9.19pm. Just moments later, around 9.30pm, the Alabama woman called 911 and told detectives that she was following a lost toddler along the interstate.

After she returned home, Ms Russell claimed was abducted by a man with “orange hair.” She turned up on foot at her parent’s home with $107 tucked in her right sock, and alleged she had barely survived the encounter.

Carlee Russell sent several bizarre tweets before disappearing

Carlee Russell’s parents insist she was kidnapped as police cast doubt on claims

Sunday 23 July 2023 23:00 , Bevan Hurley

The parents of Carlee Russell, the 25-year-old Alabama woman who disappeared for 48 hours after reporting that she spotted a child on the side of a highway, have spoken out for the first time since their daughter returned.

“We tried to hug as best we could, but I had to stand back because she was not in a good state,” Talitha Russell told The Daily Beast earlier this week about seeing her daughter return home. “So we had to stand back and let medical professionals work with her.”

While Ms Russell has been reported safe, mystery still swirls around what happened in the two days in which she vanished.

Police have since shared their doubt about her claims, suggesting that her internet search history indicates that she may have staged her own kidnapping.

Carlee Russell’s parents insist she was kidnapped as police cast doubt on claims

Police doubt Carlee Russell’s kidnapping claims. Could she face consequences?

Sunday 23 July 2023 22:00 , Bevan Hurley

Police in Hoover, Alabama have said they were unable to verify most of Carlee Russell’s claims that she was kidnapped after pulling off to the side of the road while reporting a toddler was walking alone, leading to questions about whether she may face charges.

While police have not made any official allegations against Ms Russell, should they find that she made a false report, law enforcement could choose to charge her.

Section 13A-10-9 of the Alabama criminal code states that making a false report to law enforcement, knowingly, is a Class A misdemeanour.

When asked if law enforcement was planning on charging Ms Russell on Wednesday, Mr Derzis replied: “To be perfectly honest with you, that hasn’t even entered our mind or been discussed.”

Ariana Baio has the story.

Police doubt Carlee Russell’s kidnapping claims. Could she face consequences?

Carlee Russell ‘fired’ from beauty spa job, according to report

Sunday 23 July 2023 21:30 , Bevan Hurley

Carlee Russell has been fired from the Alabama beauty spa where she was working on the night she claimed to have been kidnapped, according to a new report.

Owner Stuart Rome told the New York Post Ms Russell was no longer employed at the Woodhouse spa in Birmingham, and that staff were “pissed” about her abduction claims.

The 25-year-old told police she was kidnapped while stopping to help a toddler on Interstate 459 on 13 July. However, police say they have doubts about her account after finding suspicious internet searches on her phone.

Mr Rome said staff had been devastated by Ms Russell’s disappearance, and had passed out flyers in an effort to help find her.

“As the information came out that there were some questionable things, we’ve been a little pissed off, mainly because so many people took so much time out to search,” Mr Rome toldthe New York Post.

Mother of kidnapped and murdered Alabama teen speaks out

Sunday 23 July 2023 21:00 , Bevan Hurley

The mother of slain teen Aniah Blanchard has sent a dire message in the wake of an exhaustive investigation by Alabama authorities into the mysterious circumstances in which Carlee Russell allegedly went missing.

Angela Harris, who created a nonprofit organization to promote safety education after her 19-year-old daughter was murdered in 2019, helped in the search for Ms Russell and has now called for the public to remain patient — and cautious — as an investigation is underway.

“People want to know the truth, they need to know if there’s a predator out there ... Y’all, there are predators out there that you need to beware of. Were’ not [just] talking about the Carlee situation ... just in general, in life,” Ms Russell said in a TikTok video posted on Tuesday.

“There are predators out there, everywhere, it doesn’t matter. Please get that into your head. It can happen to anybody, anywhere, anytime.”

Andrea Blanco has the full story.

Aniah Blanchard’s mother speaks out after she helped in search for Carlee Russell

Advocates say Carlee Russell case ‘damages’ other missing person investigations

Sunday 23 July 2023 20:24 , Bevan Hurley

The father of Daniel Robinson, who has been missing since 2021, says he is concerned that Carlee Russell’s case will make it harder for Black families to get attention for their loved ones.

“It damages the problems we already have with law enforcement with taking our stories serious,” David Robinsontold CNN.

Daniel Robinson vanished in Buckeye, Arizona, in June 2021, and authorities were initially reluctant to take the missing person report seriously, his father said.

Black people are over-represented in missing person cases according to FBI data, making up 31 per cent of reports despite having just 14 per cent of the US population.

Black & Missing Foundation co-founder Derrica Wilson told CNN she had 6,000 missing person cases on her database, most of them unsolved.

She said it was often difficult to attract attention to the cases of missing persons cases involving Black people.

“We are disappointed that there are inconsistencies with (Ms Russell’s) story especially when there are a staggering number of people of colour who are still missing and they need our help,” Ms Wilson said.

Missing white woman syndrome was a term coined by social scientists to describe how cases involving attractive, young white women receive far greater media attention than those of missing indigenous or Black women and men.

‘Think about her mental health’

Sunday 23 July 2023 19:45 , Bevan Hurley

Carlee Russell’s boyfriend has pleaded with the public to stop cyberbullying the Alabama nursing student amid mounting suspicion she faked her own abduction.

“I know what it seems like what she did. Just stop bullying on social media,” Thomar Latrell Simmons told the New York Post.

“Think about her mental health. She doesn’t deserve that. She doesn’t. Nobody deserves to be cyberbullied.”

Ms Russell, 25, told police she was kidnapped after stopping to help a toddler in diapers walking alone on Interstate 459 on the evening of 13 July.

Police arrived five minutes later to find her red Mercedes still running, and her cellphone, wallet and wig in the car.

While Ms Russell was missing, Mr Simmons appealed for information from the public to help find her.

He later deleted a social media post stating that his girlfriend had been abducted.

Four unanswered questions in the mysterious case of Carlee Russell

Sunday 23 July 2023 19:15 , Bevan Hurley

Law enforcement in Hoover, Alabama left the public with more questions than answers after a press conference on Wednesday in which they revealed Carlee Russell’s disappearance and kidnapping may have been fabricated.

Hoover police chief Nick Derzis told reporters that authorities were “unable to verify” most of the statements that Ms Russell gave police about her whereabouts during the 49 hours she was missing.

Ariana Baio examines four unanswered questions about the perplexing case.

Four unanswered questions in the mysterious case of Carlee Russell

Carlee Russell claimed she was kidnapped by a man with orange hair. Police say they can’t verify any of it

Sunday 23 July 2023 18:45 , Bevan Hurley

Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell vanished on 13 July after calling 911 to report she had seen a toddler walking on the side of Interstate 459 in Alabama.

The 25-year-old told dispatch she stopped her car to check on the child, and called a family member before losing contact, according to the Hoover Police Department.

By the time officers arrived five minutes later, Ms Russell had disappeared with her car engine still running, and the toddler was nowhere to be found.

Law enforcement and family mounted a desperate search for the missing woman and pleaded with the public for help.

Then just over 48 hours later, police were notified that Ms Russell had returned home on foot.

She told detectives that she had been kidnapped by a white man with “orange hair”, and held captive in a semi-truck trailer and house before escaping.

On Wednesday, Hoover Police Department Nicholas Derzis cast doubt on Ms Russell’s claims at a press conference and said she was refusing requests to be interviewed.

What really happened to Carlee Russell?

‘Think about her mental health’

Sunday 23 July 2023 18:15 , Bevan Hurley

Carlee Russell’s boyfriend has pleaded with the public to stop cyberbullying the Alabama nursing student amid mounting suspicion she faked her own abduction.

“I know what it seems like what she did. Just stop bullying on social media,” Thomar Latrell Simmons told the New York Post.

“Think about her mental health. She doesn’t deserve that. She doesn’t. Nobody deserves to be cyberbullied.”

Ms Russell, 25, told police she was kidnapped after stopping to help a toddler in diapers walking alone on Interstate 459 on the evening of 13 July.

Police arrived five minutes later to find her red Mercedes still running, and her cellphone, wallet and wig in the car.

While Ms Russell was missing, Mr Simmons appealed for information from the public to help find her.

He later deleted a social media post stating that his girlfriend had been abducted.

Advocates say Carlee Russell case ‘damages’ other missing person investigations

Sunday 23 July 2023 17:45 , Bevan Hurley

The father of Daniel Robinson, who has been missing since 2021, says he is concerned that Carlee Russell’s case will make it harder for Black families to get attention for their loved ones.

“It damages the problems we already have with law enforcement with taking our stories serious,” David Robinson told CNN.

Daniel Robinson vanished in Buckeye, Arizona, in June 2021, and authorities were initially reluctant to take the missing person report seriously, his father said.

Black people are over-represented in missing person cases according to FBI data, making up 31 per cent of reports despite having just 14 per cent of the US population.

Black & Missing Foundation co-founder Derrica Wilson told CNN she had 6,000 missing person cases on her database, most of them unsolved.

She said it was often difficult to attract attention to the cases of missing persons cases involving Black people.

“We are disappointed that there are inconsistencies with (Ms Russell’s) story especially when there are a staggering number of people of colour who are still missing and they need our help,” Ms Wilson said.

Missing white woman syndrome was a term coined by social scientists to describe how cases involving attractive, young white women receive far greater media attention than those of missing indigenous or Black women and men.

Carlee Russell sent several bizarre tweets before disappearing

Sunday 23 July 2023 17:15 , Bevan Hurley

Before 25-year-old Carlee Russell disappeared for 49 hours, she posted a series of bizarre tweets.

On the day she went missing on 13 July, she tweeted at 8.55pm: “today was a GREAT day God be looking out im telling you!!”

One minute later, Ms Russell wrote: “someone to tell you ‘i love you’ and don’t got a reason.”

Finally, she tweeted, “yeah i want a family now” at 9.19pm. Just moments later, around 9.30pm, the Alabama woman called 911 and told detectives that she was following a lost toddler along the interstate.

After she returned home, Ms Russell claimed was abducted by a man with “orange hair.” She turned up on foot at her parent’s home with $107 tucked in her right sock, and alleged she had barely survived the encounter.

Kelly Rissman has the full story.

Carlee Russell sent several bizarre tweets before disappearing

Police doubt Carlee Russell’s kidnapping claims. Could she face consequences?

Sunday 23 July 2023 16:15 , Bevan Hurley

Police in Hoover, Alabama have said they were unable to verify most of Carlee Russell’s claims that she was kidnapped after pulling off to the side of the road while reporting a toddler was walking alone, leading to questions about whether she may face charges.

While police have not made any official allegations against Ms Russell, should they find that she made a false report, law enforcement could choose to charge her.

Section 13A-10-9 of the Alabama criminal code states that making a false report to law enforcement, knowingly, is a Class A misdemeanour.

When asked if law enforcement was planning on charging Ms Russell on Wednesday, Mr Derzis replied: “To be perfectly honest with you, that hasn’t even entered our mind or been discussed.”

Ariana Baio has the story.

Police doubt Carlee Russell’s kidnapping claims. Could she face consequences?

Carlee Russell claimed she was kidnapped by a man with orange hair. Police say they can’t verify any of it

Sunday 23 July 2023 15:45 , Bevan Hurley

Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell vanished on 13 July after calling 911 to report she had seen a toddler walking on the side of Interstate 459 in Alabama.

The 25-year-old told dispatch she stopped her car to check on the child, and called a family member before losing contact, according to the Hoover Police Department.

By the time officers arrived five minutes later, Ms Russell had disappeared with her car engine still running, and the toddler was nowhere to be found.

Law enforcement and family mounted a desperate search for the missing woman and pleaded with the public for help.

Then just over 48 hours later, police were notified that Ms Russell had returned home on foot.

She told detectives that she had been kidnapped by a white man with “orange hair”, and held captive in a semi-truck trailer and house before escaping.

On Wednesday, Hoover Police Department Nicholas Derzis cast doubt on Ms Russell’s claims at a press conference and said she was refusing requests to be interviewed.

What really happened to Carlee Russell?

'Think about her mental health’

Sunday 23 July 2023 15:15 , Bevan Hurley

Carlee Russell’s boyfriend has pleaded with the public to stop cyberbullying the Alabama nursing student amid mounting suspicion she faked her own abduction.

“I know what it seems like what she did. Just stop bullying on social media,” Thomar Latrell Simmons told the New York Post.

“Think about her mental health. She doesn’t deserve that. She doesn’t. Nobody deserves to be cyberbullied.”

Ms Russell, 25, told police she was kidnapped after stopping to help a toddler in diapers walking alone on Interstate 459 on the evening of 13 July.

Police arrived five minutes later to find her red Mercedes still running, and her cellphone, wallet and wig in the car.

While Ms Russell was missing, Mr Simmons appealed for information from the public to help find her.

He later deleted a social media post stating that his girlfriend had been abducted.

Four unanswered questions in the mysterious case of Carlee Russell

Sunday 23 July 2023 14:30 , Bevan Hurley

Law enforcement in Hoover, Alabama left the public with more questions than answers after a press conference on Wednesday in which they revealed Carlee Russell’s disappearance and kidnapping may have been fabricated.

Hoover police chief Nick Derzis told reporters that authorities were “unable to verify” most of the statements that Ms Russell gave police about her whereabouts during the 49 hours she was missing.

Ariana Baio examines four unanswered questions about the perplexing case.

Four unanswered questions in the mysterious case of Carlee Russell

Carlee Russell claimed she was kidnapped by a man with orange hair. Police say they can’t verify any of it

Sunday 23 July 2023 12:30 , Bevan Hurley

Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell vanished on 13 July after calling 911 to report she had seen a toddler walking on the side of Interstate 459 in Alabama.

The 25-year-old told dispatch she stopped her car to check on the child, and called a family member before losing contact, according to the Hoover Police Department.

By the time officers arrived five minutes later, Ms Russell had disappeared with her car engine still running, and the toddler was nowhere to be found.

Law enforcement and family mounted a desperate search for the missing woman and pleaded with the public for help.

Then just over 48 hours later, police were notified that Ms Russell had returned home on foot.

She told detectives that she had been kidnapped by a white man with “orange hair”, and held captive in a semi-truck trailer and house before escaping.

On Wednesday, Hoover Police Department Nicholas Derzis cast doubt on Ms Russell’s claims at a press conference and said she was refusing requests to be interviewed.

What really happened to Carlee Russell?

Carlee Russell sent several bizarre tweets before disappearing

Sunday 23 July 2023 11:30 , Bevan Hurley

Before 25-year-old Carlee Russell disappeared for a mysterious 49 hours, she posted a series of bizarre tweets.

On the day she went missing on 13 July, she tweeted at 8.55pm: “today was a GREAT day God be looking out im telling you!!”

One minute later, Ms Russell wrote: “someone to tell you ‘i love you’ and don’t got a reason.”

Finally, she tweeted, “yeah i want a family now” at 9.19pm. Just moments later, around 9.30pm, the Alabama woman called 911 and told detectives that she was following a lost toddler along the interstate.

After she returned home, Ms Russell claimed was abducted by a man with “orange hair.” She turned up on foot at her parent’s home with $107 tucked in her right sock, and alleged she had barely survived the encounter.

Kelly Rissman has the full story.

Carlee Russell sent several bizarre tweets before disappearing

Police doubt Carlee Russell’s kidnapping claims. Could she face consequences?

Sunday 23 July 2023 10:00 , Bevan Hurley

Police in Hoover, Alabama have said they were unable to verify most of Carlee Russell’s claims that she was kidnapped after pulling off to the side of the road while reporting a toddler was walking alone, leading to questions about whether she may face charges.

While police have not made any official allegations against Ms Russell, should they find that she made a false report, law enforcement could choose to charge her.

Section 13A-10-9 of the Alabama criminal code states that making a false report to law enforcement, knowingly, is a Class A misdemeanour.

When asked if law enforcement was planning on charging Ms Russell on Wednesday, Mr Derzis replied: “To be perfectly honest with you, that hasn’t even entered our mind or been discussed.”

Ariana Baio has the story.

Police doubt Carlee Russell’s kidnapping claims. Could she face consequences?

Boyfriend of Carlee Russell deletes social media posts

Sunday 23 July 2023 08:30 , Bevan Hurley

The boyfriend of Carlee Russell has seemingly deleted social media posts containing photos or mentions of Ms Russell after police cast doubt over her allegations that she was kidnapped.

Ms Russell, 25, told police she was kidnapped on 13 July after pulling over on the side of the interstate to help a toddler who she claims was walking alone.

Two days later, on 15 July, she returned home.

Her boyfriend, Thomar Latrell Simmons posted on Facebook announcing her return and attesting to her claim that she was kidnapped. He wrote that Ms Russell had been “fighting for her life for 48 hours” and not “physically or mentally stable” enough to speak about her kidnapping.

But after Hoover police revealed they were unable to verify most of Ms Russell’s story on Wednesday, Mr Simmons deleted his posts from Facebook and Instagram.

Full story below.

Boyfriend of Carlee Russell deletes social media posts after police cast doubt

Four unanswered questions in the mysterious case of Carlee Russell

Sunday 23 July 2023 07:00 , Bevan Hurley

Law enforcement in Hoover, Alabama left the public with more questions than answers after a press conference on Wednesday in which they revealed Carlee Russell’s disappearance and kidnapping may have been fabricated.

Hoover police chief Nick Derzis told reporters that authorities were “unable to verify” most of the statements that Ms Russell gave police about her whereabouts during the 49 hours she was missing.

Ariana Baio examines four unanswered questions about the perplexing case.

Four unanswered questions in the mysterious case of Carlee Russell

Carlee Russell ‘fired’ from beauty spa job, according to report

Sunday 23 July 2023 05:30 , Bevan Hurley

Carlee Russell has been fired from the Alabama beauty spa where she was working on the night she claimed to have been kidnapped, according to a new report.

Owner Stuart Rome told the New York Post Ms Russell was no longer employed at the Woodhouse spa in Birmingham, and that staff were “pissed” about her abduction claims.

The 25-year-old told police she was kidnapped while stopping to help a toddler on Interstate 459 on 13 July. However, police say they have doubts about her account after finding suspicious internet searches on her phone.

Mr Rome said staff had been devastated by Ms Russell’s disappearance, and had passed out flyers in an effort to help find her.

“As the information came out that there were some questionable things, we’ve been a little pissed off, mainly because so many people took so much time out to search,” Mr Rome told the New York Post.

Carlee Russell claimed she was kidnapped by a man with orange hair. Police say they can’t verify any of it

Sunday 23 July 2023 04:00 , Bevan Hurley

Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell vanished on 13 July after calling 911 to report she had seen a toddler walking on the side of Interstate 459 in Alabama.

The 25-year-old told dispatch she stopped her car to check on the child, and called a family member before losing contact, according to the Hoover Police Department.

By the time officers arrived five minutes later, Ms Russell had disappeared with her car engine still running, and the toddler was nowhere to be found.

Law enforcement and family mounted a desperate search for the missing woman and pleaded with the public for help.

Then just over 48 hours later, police were notified that Ms Russell had returned home on foot.

She told detectives that she had been kidnapped by a white man with “orange hair”, and held captive in a semi-truck trailer and house before escaping.

On Wednesday, Hoover Police Department Nicholas Derzis cast doubt on Ms Russell’s claims at a press conference and said she was refusing requests to be interviewed.

What really happened to Carlee Russell?

Police are using ‘every other synonym for lie except saying she lied’

Sunday 23 July 2023 02:30 , Bevan Hurley

An Alabama lawyer has outlined the possible crimes Carlee Russell may have committed after police haven’t been able to verify her claims about her 49-hour disappearance.

The 25-year-old claims she was kidnapped, but police have shared her internet search history which suggests the ordeal may have been staged.

Birmingham lawyer Eric Guster, a longtime criminal defence attorney, told WVTM13 that he, like many others, grew interested in the case. He added that the message coming from the police was clear.

“She says she was kidnapped, and a kidnapping didn’t happen. (They say) our citizens are safe. There’s not a kidnapper out there. So, they use every other synonym for lie except saying she lied,” he told the local TV station.

The attorney added that the search for Ms Russell wasted time and funds for both the police and members of the community.

The Independent’s Gustaf Kilander has the story.

Police using ‘every synonym for lie’ in Carlee Russell case, lawyer says

Carlee Russell’s parents insist she was kidnapped as police cast doubt on claims

Sunday 23 July 2023 01:30 , Bevan Hurley

The parents of Carlee Russell, the 25-year-old Alabama woman who disappeared for 48 hours after reporting that she spotted a child on the side of a highway, have spoken out for the first time since their daughter returned.

“We tried to hug as best we could, but I had to stand back because she was not in a good state,” Talitha Russell told The Daily Beast earlier this week about seeing her daughter return home. “So we had to stand back and let medical professionals work with her.”

While Ms Russell has been reported safe, mystery still swirls around what happened in the two days in which she vanished.

Police have since shared their doubt about her claims, suggesting that her internet search history indicates that she may have staged her own kidnapping.

Her parents have maintained that she was “absolutely” abducted. “There were moments when she physically had to fight for her life, and there were moments when she had to mentally fight for her life,” the mother told the outlet.

Carlee Russell’s parents insist she was kidnapped as police cast doubt on claims

Carlee Russell sent several bizarre tweets before disappearing

Sunday 23 July 2023 00:30 , Bevan Hurley

Before 25-year-old Carlee Russell disappeared for a mysterious 49 hours, she posted a series of bizarre tweets.

On the day she went missing on 13 July, she tweeted at 8.55pm: “today was a GREAT day God be looking out im telling you!!”

One minute later, Ms Russell wrote: “someone to tell you ‘i love you’ and don’t got a reason.”

Finally, she tweeted, “yeah i want a family now” at 9.19pm. Just moments later, around 9.30pm, the Alabama woman called 911 and told detectives that she was following a lost toddler along the interstate.

After she returned home, Ms Russell claimed was abducted by a man with “orange hair.” She turned up on foot at her parent’s home with $107 tucked in her right sock, and alleged she had barely survived the encounter.

Kelly Rissman has the full story.

Carlee Russell sent several bizarre tweets before disappearing

Police doubt Carlee Russell’s kidnapping claims. Could she face consequences?

Saturday 22 July 2023 23:30 , Bevan Hurley

Police in Hoover, Alabama have said they were unable to verify most of Carlee Russell’s claims that she was kidnapped after pulling off to the side of the road while reporting a toddler was walking alone, leading to questions about whether she may face charges.

While police have not made any official allegations against Ms Russell, should they find that she made a false report, law enforcement could choose to charge her.

Section 13A-10-9 of the Alabama criminal code states that making a false report to law enforcement, knowingly, is a Class A misdemeanour.

When asked if law enforcement was planning on charging Ms Russell on Wednesday, Mr Derzis replied: “To be perfectly honest with you, that hasn’t even entered our mind or been discussed.”

Ariana Baio has the story.

Police doubt Carlee Russell’s kidnapping claims. Could she face consequences?

Four unanswered questions in the mysterious case of Carlee Russell

Saturday 22 July 2023 21:45 , Bevan Hurley

Law enforcement in Hoover, Alabama left the public with more questions than answers after a press conference on Wednesday in which they revealed Carlee Russell’s disappearance and kidnapping may have been fabricated.

Hoover police chief Nick Derzis told reporters that authorities were “unable to verify” most of the statements that Ms Russell gave police about her whereabouts during the 49 hours she was missing.

Ariana Baio examines four unanswered questions about the perplexing case.

Four unanswered questions in the mysterious case of Carlee Russell

Carlee Russell ‘fired’ from beauty spa job, according to report

Saturday 22 July 2023 21:00 , Bevan Hurley

Carlee Russell has been fired from the Alabama beauty spa where she was working on the night she claimed to have been kidnapped, according to a new report.

Owner Stuart Rome told the New York Post Ms Russell was no longer employed at the Woodhouse spa in Birmingham, and that staff were “pissed” about her abduction claims.

The 25-year-old told police she was kidnapped while stopping to help a toddler on Interstate 459 on 13 July. However, police say they have doubts about her account after finding suspicious internet searches on her phone.

Mr Rome said staff had been devastated by Ms Russell’s disappearance, and had passed out flyers in an effort to help find her.

“As the information came out that there were some questionable things, we’ve been a little pissed off, mainly because so many people took so much time out to search,” Mr Rome toldthe New York Post.

Mother of kidnapped and murdered Alabama teen speaks out

Saturday 22 July 2023 20:15 , Bevan Hurley

The mother of slain teen Aniah Blanchard has sent a dire message in the wake of an exhaustive investigation by Alabama authorities into the mysterious circumstances in which Carlee Russell allegedly went missing.

Angela Harris, who created a nonprofit organization to promote safety education after her 19-year-old daughter was murdered in 2019, helped in the search for Ms Russell and has now called for the public to remain patient — and cautious — as an investigation is underway.

“People want to know the truth, they need to know if there’s a predator out there ... Y’all, there are predators out there that you need to beware of. Were’ not [just] talking about the Carlee situation ... just in general, in life,” Ms Russell said in a TikTok video posted on Tuesday.

“There are predators out there, everywhere, it doesn’t matter. Please get that into your head. It can happen to anybody, anywhere, anytime.”

Andrea Blanco has the full story.

Aniah Blanchard’s mother speaks out after she helped in search for Carlee Russell

Police doubt Carlee Russell’s kidnapping claims. Could she face consequences?

Saturday 22 July 2023 18:03 , Bevan Hurley

Police in Hoover, Alabama have said they were unable to verify most of Carlee Russell’s claims that she was kidnapped after pulling off to the side of the road while reporting a toddler was walking alone, leading to questions about whether she may face charges.

While police have not made any official allegations against Ms Russell, should they find that she made a false report, law enforcement could choose to charge her.

Section 13A-10-9 of the Alabama criminal code states that making a false report to law enforcement, knowingly, is a Class A misdemeanour.

When asked if law enforcement was planning on charging Ms Russell on Wednesday, Mr Derzis replied: “To be perfectly honest with you, that hasn’t even entered our mind or been discussed.”

Ariana Baio has the story.

Police doubt Carlee Russell’s kidnapping claims. Could she face consequences?

Carlee Russell sent several bizarre tweets before disappearing

Saturday 22 July 2023 17:27 , Bevan Hurley

Before 25-year-old Carlee Russell disappeared for a mysterious 49 hours, she posted a series of bizarre tweets.

On the day she went missing on 13 July, she tweeted at 8.55pm: “today was a GREAT day God be looking out im telling you!!”

One minute later, Ms Russell wrote: “someone to tell you ‘i love you’ and don’t got a reason.”

Finally, she tweeted, “yeah i want a family now” at 9.19pm. Just moments later, around 9.30pm, the Alabama woman called 911 and told detectives that she was following a lost toddler along the interstate.

After she returned home, Ms Russell claimed was abducted by a man with “orange hair.” She turned up on foot at her parent’s home with $107 tucked in her right sock, and alleged she had barely survived the encounter.

Kelly Rissman has the full story.

Carlee Russell sent several bizarre tweets before disappearing

Carlee Russell’s parents insist she was kidnapped as police cast doubt on claims

Saturday 22 July 2023 17:03 , Bevan Hurley

The parents of Carlee Russell, the 25-year-old Alabama woman who disappeared for 48 hours after reporting that she spotted a child on the side of a highway, have spoken out for the first time since their daughter returned.

“We tried to hug as best we could, but I had to stand back because she was not in a good state,” Talitha Russell told The Daily Beast earlier this week about seeing her daughter return home. “So we had to stand back and let medical professionals work with her.”

While Ms Russell has been reported safe, mystery still swirls around what happened in the two days in which she vanished.

Police have since shared their doubt about her claims, suggesting that her internet search history indicates that she may have staged her own kidnapping.

Her parents have maintained that she was “absolutely” abducted. “There were moments when she physically had to fight for her life, and there were moments when she had to mentally fight for her life,” the mother told the outlet.

Carlee Russell’s parents insist she was kidnapped as police cast doubt on claims

Russell drove 600 yards along an Alabama interstate while on the phone to a 911 operator

Saturday 22 July 2023 12:00 , Bevan Hurley

At a press conference on Wednesday, Hoover police revealed Ms Russell drove 600 yards (548m) along an Alabama interstate while on the phone to a 911 operator claiming that she was following a lost toddler.

Data from Ms Russell’s cellphone showed she had driven the length of six football fields while talking to police dispatch, Hoover Police Department chief Nicholas Derzis said during the press conference.

“To think that a toddler, barefoot, that could be three or four years old is going to travel six football fields without getting on the roadway, without crying ... it’s very hard for me to understand,” Mr Derzis said.

“Carlee’s 911 call remains the only report of a child on the interstate, despite numerous vehicles passing through the area at that time,” he said.

“We don’t see anyone on the interstate other than her car, and then someone getting out of her driver’s side.”

On Friday afternoon, authorities issued an urgent appeal for any information about her whereabouts.

“No piece of information is too small for this investigation,” public information officer Lt Daniel Lowe wrote in a statement.