Released video footage taken the night that Carlee Russell disappeared in Alabama captured the moment she pulled over on a highway to help a child.
The video was captured from Traffic Cam Archive, an online company that captures, catalogs, archives, and sells traffic camera footage.
Russell, 25, went missing Thursday after she called 911 to report a child walking on I-459 in Hoover, Alabama a little after 9:30 pm.
After calling 911, she called her brother’s girlfriend and pulled over to check on the child she described as 3 or 4 years old. The family member she was on the phone with says she heard Russell speaking to the child, asking if they were ok. Then they heard Carlee scream before the phone dropped, with only the sound of traffic being heard after.
When police arrived, they found her red Mercedes running and some of her personal belongings, including her phone. However, they couldn’t find Russell or the kid she reported walking on the highway.
Police Chief Nick Derzis said Saturday they are working to get the video enhanced for more clues into Russell’s disappearance.
“It proves that Carlee’s car was there, and we know that when the officers responded after the 911 call that she was not,’’ Derzis said.
“She remains missing and our top priority,’’ he said. “Every resource we have is being used today.”
“We’re working closely with the family making sure they know exactly what we’re doing,’’ Derzis said. “They’re fielding a lot of leads themselves and they’re forwarding those leads to us.”
The reward for information leading to Russell’s safe return now stands at $58,260.95, Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama said Saturday night.
