Carlee Russell Admits She Made Up Kidnapping Story [Video]

“My client apologizes for her actions to the community, the volunteers who were searching for her, to the Hoover Police Department and other agencies, as well as to her friends and family,’’ the attorney said.

“We ask for your prayers for Carlee as she addresses her issues and intends to move understanding that she made a mistake,’’ Anthony said. “Carlee again asks for your forgiveness and prayers.”

It’s still unclear where Russell was during the more than 48 hours she was missing. Her attorney claims she was not at the Red Roof Inn, as reports said online.

Russell made headlines this month after she went missing on July 13 after calling the police claiming to have witnessed a toddler walking along I-459. Upon arriving at the scene, the police discovered Russell’s car, but she was nowhere to be found. Interestingly, no other reports of a child walking along the interstate were received that night. On July 15, Russell was located after reportedly walking back home. She was taken to UAB Hospital for evaluation.

While at the hospital, Russell told police that she had managed to break free from a man and a woman who had abducted her from the side of Interstate 459 two nights prior, according to officials.

Authorities conducted an investigation and established that Russell had left her job at Woodhouse Day Spa – a job from which she has been terminated subsequently – after taking a robe, toilet paper, and a small amount of cash. She then ordered food from Taziki’s at The Colonnade and traveled there. She later traveled to Target, where she purchased granola bars, Cheez-its, and a drink. Minutes later, she drove to I-459, and at 9:34 p.m., called police to report seeing the child.

In the past week, there has been considerable speculation surrounding Russell’s disappearance. In a press conference held on July 19, Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis raised various concerns about the case, including Russell’s previous Google searches leading up to her vanishing and claiming to have followed the child for a considerable distance along the interstate.

As part of the investigation, the police discovered several searches made by Russell prior to her disappearance. They included statements like “You have to pay for an Amber alert,” a search for a one-way bus ticket from Birmingham to Nashville on July 13, and references to the movie “Taken,” which revolves around the kidnapping of a girl.

Despite these questions raised during the press conference, Russell’s family had previously asserted that she was indeed abducted, and they expressed on the “Today” show last week that the person responsible for her disappearance was still at large.

No charges have been filed against Russell as of now. According to Derzis, the police are currently engaging in discussions with the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office in the Bessemer Cutoff regarding potential criminal charges.