Current:Home > ScamsCarlee Russell, whose story captivated the nation, is due in court over the false reports-LoTradeCoin
Carlee Russell, whose story captivated the nation, is due in court over the false reports
View Date:2024-12-23 23:41:39
An Alabama woman who disappeared after telling police a story about a child walking along a highway is due in court Wednesday for criminal charges she faces in relation to the frenzy.
Carlethia "Carlee" Russell, 26, faces two misdemeanor charges in Hoover, about 10 miles south of Birmingham, for falsely reporting to law enforcement, which could carry up to a year in jail and a $6,000 fine if she's convicted. Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis said in a July news conference her decisions created national panic and alarm that a possible kidnapper was on the run and using a toddler as bait.
"I know many are shocked and appalled that Ms. Russell is only being charged with two misdemeanors," Derzis said in late July. "I, too, share the same frustration."
Amanda Priest, spokesperson for the Alabama Attorney General's office, said the charges fit well with this case as the state's laws don't allow for harsher penalties.
Russell's attorney, Emory Anthony, declined USA TODAY's request for an interview until after the court date.
Court Director and Chief Magistrate Susan Fuqua told USA TODAY attorneys will meet in the afternoon to discuss how to proceed with the case. If the case goes to trial, Fuqua said the earliest possible date could be set for January because of the upcoming holidays.
What did Carlee Russell claim happened in July?
Russell initially went missing in Hoover on July 13 and reappeared at home 49 hours later.
She called police to report a toddler walking along Interstate 459 South in just a diaper, but police were unable to confirm Russell's report. She later called her brother's girlfriend, who reported she heard Russell scream before losing contact.
Hoover police said in a July 14 statement they weren't able to locate Russell or the child. They released video surveillance of Russell's red Mercedes-Benz pulling over on the highway with hazards on, but it doesn't show anyone driving up to Russell.
During a July 19 press conference, Derzis said Russell claimed to see a toddler wearing just a white T-shirt and a diaper, and a man came out of the woods telling her he was searching for the child.
The woman later told police she was placed in a semi-truck and overheard a man and woman talking while a baby was crying. Russell said she escaped but was recaptured and blindfolded, then taken to a home where she was fed crackers. She told police the couple made her take her clothes off and took pictures of her.
Nearly a week later, Anthony, her lawyer said she was never abducted and she admitted to lying about the missing child report.
Contributing Emily DeLetter, Francisco Guzman and Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY; Associated Press
veryGood! (56)
Related
- Kelly Rowland and Nelly Reunite for Iconic Performance of Dilemma 2 Decades Later
- Texas waves goodbye to sales tax on menstrual products, diapers: 'Meaningful acknowledgment'
- Statue believed to depict Marcus Aurelius seized from Cleveland museum in looting investigation
- After nearly 30 years, Pennsylvania will end state funding for anti-abortion counseling centers
- Hurricane-stricken Tampa Bay Rays to play 2025 season at Yankees’ spring training field in Tampa
- Horseshoe Beach hell: Idalia's wrath leaves tiny Florida town's homes, history in ruins
- Utah mom who gave YouTube parenting advice arrested on suspicion of child abuse, police say
- Florence Pugh says 'people are scared' of her 'cute nipples' after sheer dress backlash
- Justice Department says jail conditions in Georgia’s Fulton County violate detainee rights
- Weeks after the fire, the response in Maui shifts from a sprint to a marathon
Ranking
- Pete Alonso's best free agent fits: Will Mets bring back Polar Bear?
- 'Never seen anything like this': Idalia deluge still wreaking havoc in Southeast. Live updates
- Mississippi candidate for attorney general says the state isn’t doing enough to protect workers
- ACC clears way to add Stanford, Cal, SMU, AP sources say, providing escape for 2 Pac-12 schools
- Horoscopes Today, November 11, 2024
- EBY's Seamless Bralettes & Briefs Are What Your Intimates Drawer Has Been Missing
- Former state senator accused of spending COVID-19 relief loan on luxury cars
- Woman's leg impaled by beach umbrella in Alabama
Recommendation
-
2025 NFL Draft order: Updated first round picks after Week 10 games
-
Alabama lawmaker agrees to plead guilty to voter fraud
-
This week on Sunday Morning: A Nation Divided? (September 3)
-
Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is 60 times more likely to be stolen than any other 2020-22 vehicle
-
AI could help scale humanitarian responses. But it could also have big downsides
-
Justice Department moves to close gun show loophole
-
‘Walking Dead’ spinoffs, ‘Interview With the Vampire’ can resume with actors’ union approval
-
Food ads are in the crosshairs as Burger King, others face lawsuits for false advertising