Current:Home > MyAppeal canceled, plea hearing set for Carlee Russell, woman who faked her own abduction-LoTradeCoin
Appeal canceled, plea hearing set for Carlee Russell, woman who faked her own abduction
View Date:2024-12-24 00:31:59
Carlethia "Carlee" Russell, the Alabama woman who sparked a nationwide hunt after faking her own disappearance, will not receive a state trial to appeal her conviction.
Russell initially went "missing" on July 13 and returned home two days later on July 15. After an ongoing police investigation, Russell admitted through her attorney on July 24 that she had never been abducted or missing and the entire incident was a hoax.
Russell, 26, pleaded not guilty to charges of false reporting to law enforcement authorities and falsely reporting an incident in October. She was later found guilty by Municipal Judge Brad Bishop, who recommended that Russell spend a year in jail and pay fines totaling nearly $20,000.
Russell had a state trial to appeal the conviction set for March 18, with her legal team saying jail time wasn't warranted.
But on Thursday, Jefferson County Circuit Judge David Carpenter ordered the state trial removed from the docket, reported AL.com. Instead, a plea hearing is now set for March 21.
Russell’s attorney, Emory Anthony, did not respond to USA TODAY's request for comment Friday
Carlee Russell investigation:What happens next? Police say they're still on the case.
Carlee Russell abduction hoax
Russell initially went "missing" on July 13 after calling police from a Birmingham suburb to report “a male toddler in a diaper” on the side of Interstate 459 South, as previously reported by USA TODAY. She told the operator she was "stopping to check on him,” and then called a family friend to inform them of the situation.
The family friend heard her scream during the call and then lost contact with Russell. The Hoover Police Department arrived on the scene roughly five minutes later to find Russell's wig, cell phone and purse with an Apple Watch inside on the roadway near her empty vehicle. There was no sign of Russell or a child.
Police quickly launched a search for the woman, with local, state and federal authorities getting involved. The case drew national attention as people across the country kept up with news of the search.
Carlee Russell returns home, admits she wasn't kidnapped
Russell returned home on July 15 and allegedly "gave detectives her statement so that they can continue to pursue her abductor," Talitha Russell, Carlee's mother, told TODAY on July 18. Carlee's mother and father told reporters that their daughter had indeed been abducted and that the perpetrator was still at large.
Police continued to investigate until July 24, when police read a statement from Russell's lawyer at a press conference, confirming that Russell had never actually been missing. The statement said she acted alone in pulling off the deceit. She apologized to the community, searchers, police and her family for her "mistake."
"The sad thing is ... there were so many people that were involved ... took this thing very seriously," the statement read. "It is what it is."
Neither Russell nor her attorney have provided a public explanation for why she faked the abduction.
veryGood! (34184)
Related
- 2 striking teacher unions in Massachusetts face growing fines for refusing to return to classroom
- Asa Hutchinson to join University of Arkansas law school faculty next year
- ‘It’s our time': As Harris accepts the nomination, many women say a female president is long overdue
- College Football season is about to kick off. Here are our record projections for every team
- Brianna LaPaglia Addresses Zach Bryan's Deafening Silence After Emotional Abuse Allegations
- California woman fed up with stolen mail sends Apple AirTag to herself to catch thief
- Evictions for making too many 911 calls happen. The Justice Department wants it to stop.
- Doctor charged in death of Matthew Perry is returning to work this week, attorney says
- Amazon's 'Cross' almost gets James Patterson detective right: Review
- AP Week in Pictures: Global
Ranking
- Apologetic rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine gets 45 days in prison for probation violations
- The Seagrass Species That Is Not So Slowly Taking Over the World
- Kamala Harris with Beyoncé? Yes, but the star singer was only heard through loudspeakers
- Atlantic City casino earnings declined by 1.3% in 2nd quarter of 2024
- Jordan Chiles Reveals She Still Has Bronze Medal in Emotional Update After 2024 Olympics Controversy
- These Lululemon Finds Have Align Leggings for $59 Plus More Styles Under $60 That Have Reviewers Obsessed
- Former Tennessee officer accused in Tyre Nichols’ death to change plea ahead of trial
- Sudden fame for Tim Walz’s son focuses attention on challenges of people with learning disabilities
Recommendation
-
Will Trump curb transgender rights? After election, community prepares for worst
-
She took a ‘ballot selfie.’ Now she’s suing North Carolina elections board for laws that ban it
-
Jury sides with Pennsylvania teacher in suit against district over Jan. 6 rally
-
When do cats stop growing? How to know your pet has reached its full size
-
Former North Carolina labor commissioner becomes hospital group’s CEO
-
Here’s the schedule for the DNC’s fourth and final night leading up to Harris’ acceptance speech
-
A bloomin' good deal: Outback Steakhouse gives away free apps to kick off football season
-
The clothing we discard is a problem. How do we fix that? | The Excerpt