Update: Carlee Russell’s Attorney Issues Apology On Her Behalf, Says ‘There Was No Kidnapping’ & His Client Is Asking For ‘Forgiveness & Prayers’ 

Carlee Russell

Update: Carlee Russell’s Attorney Issues Apology On Her Behalf, Says ‘There Was No Kidnapping’ & His Client Is Asking For ‘Forgiveness & Prayers’

Update: (Jul. 24, 2023):  Looks like Carlee Russell is responsible for her own disappearance.

In a statement released today (Jul. 24) by her attorney and read by Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis, it was revealed that despite her initial allegations, there was never a toddler on the side of the interstate and she wasn’t kidnapped. As you may recall, earlier this month 25-year-old Carlee Russell went missing for over 48 hours. She called 911 on her way home from work, claiming there was a child by the woods of Interstate 459. After getting out to help, Carlee Russell said she was kidnapped by a man who had orange hair with a bald spot. The UAB nursing student eventually found her way home, telling authorities she managed to escape from the trailer of an 18-wheeler.

However, she’s now retracted her claims. During a press conference, Chief Derzis shared the remarks from her lawyer, Emory Anthony, and said,

“There was no kidnapping on Thursday, 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 help in this incident, but this was a single act done by herself.”

He continued,

“My client was not with anyone or any hotel with anyone from the time she was missing. My client apologizes for her actions to this 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 attempts to move forward, understanding that she made a mistake in this matter. Carlee, again, asks for your forgiveness and prayers.”

He added that the Hoover Police Department is currently “in discussions” with the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office “about possible criminal charges related to the case,” which will be revealed when and if they are filed.

Here is the statement in full: pic.twitter.com/UQZukqD1ph

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 24, 2023

Original Story: (Jul. 19, 2023): Was Carlee Russell actually kidnapped?

The internet is currently in a frenzy as many weigh in on the newly released information surrounding the viral case. As you may recall, 25-year-old Carlee Russell went missing last week in Alabama for more than 48 hours after making a 911 call claiming to have seen a young child on the side of the interstate. According to initial reports, she pulled over to help and disappeared shortly after. Amid an intense search and nationwide coverage of the situation, authorities shared that Carlee Russell returned home and was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. She was later released.

Yesterday (Jul. 18) her parents broke their silence on the matter and said that due to the ongoing investigation, they can’t share too much but their daughter,

“definitely fought for her life. 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.”

However, new information on the case has many wondering if Carlee Russell orchestrated her own disappearance. During a news conference that took place today (Jul. 19), Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis said a child wasn’t reported missing and there hasn’t been any evidence of one being on the interstate. Derzis expressed that authorities do not believe there is a threat to the community, but the investigation is still underway.

He added that officers “have been unable to verify” most of Russell’s initial claims, but they desire to interview her again. However, her family,

“has stated to us that they didn’t think that in her mental state right now because of trauma of the incident, that she’s not ready to talk.”

Derzis also shared publicly for the first time details about Russell’s allegations. He revealed that she told authorities she was abducted by a man who had orange hair with a bald spot. She was allegedly blindfolded and placed in the trailer of an 18-wheeler. She noted that after being taken she could hear a woman’s voice but she never saw who it was. He continued and said she alleged she wasn’t tied up because,

“the captors said they did not want to leave impressions on her wrists. She said that they took her into a house and made her get undressed. She believes they took pictures of her but does not remember them having any physical or sexual contact.”

Russell claimed she was eventually able to escape, ran through woods, and came out near her home.

In addition, Derzis revealed her search history before going missing. Reportedly, she researched many questionable topics including, one-way bus tickets, “Do you have to pay for an amber alert?” and “How to take money from a register without being caught.”

Following the release of the new information, a lot of people have taken to their social platforms to share their thoughts on the matter. On top of her name, “D*mn Carlee” and “Gone Girl” are trending topics.

See what the public had to say below: 

What are your thoughts on this entire situation? Tell us in the comments below!