A 26-year-old Alabama woman who faked her own kidnapping has recently been found guilty for two misdemeanors. Carlee Russell reported to 911 that a toddler was on the side of the an interstate in Hoover, Alabama. When the police arrived at the scene minutes later, Russell was missing- but her phone, car, purse, apple watch, and her wig were left behind. Russell came home on foot 49 hours after she initially went missing, according to CBS News.
Russell told the Hoover Police Department that she was in a truck trailer with a man, who had orange hair, and was accompanied by a woman. She also said she could hear a baby crying, from CBS News. Russell stated that she was eventually able to escape into the woods after the kidnappers put her in a car, and was able to find her way back to her house.
Russell’s story quickly made headlines across the country, especially on social media platforms. Popular platforms such as TikTok caused an internet frenzy about this case. Human trafficking activists spread the story to raise awareness about how human trafficking rates have been increasing over the past few years, especially towards black women such as Russell. Black people make up 31% of missing person reports, whilst also only making up 14% of the USA population. However, white people make up 54% of missing person reports and are 76% of the USA population, according to FBI Data from 2021.
With all the attention Russell’s disappearance was gaining, it didn’t take long for speculation to grow, as many people thought Russell’s story wasn’t believable. The myriad activists, such as TikTok creator Zoe Renee fought back by saying, “She gets found alive and suddenly she’s a villain, all these people praying for her to come back alive and now like, ‘why did she come back alive.’”
“I mean, one wouldn’t normally kidnap themselves, right?” NHS freshman Sierra Marx said.
Nearly two weeks after Russell went missing, Emory Anthony, Russell’s lawyer, sent a statement to the Hoover Police Department who were investigating Russell’s case.
“My client did not see a baby on the side of the road. 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,” Anthony told CBS News.
Russell was eventually charged with a count of falsely reporting an estranged child on the highway to the Hoover authorities, and another count of reporting a fake kidnapping. Russell was found guilty recently, and was sentenced to a year in prison and a fine of nearly $18,000. However, Russell was freed from her charges on bail.
“It’s almost like a ‘boy who cried wolf’ situation,” NHS freshman Lexi Young said. Although Russell’s tale has briefly come to an end, she has made an undeniable impact.
Comments