Carlee Russell admits ‘there was no kidnapping’ or baby on the highway in bombshell hoax confession
Alabama nursing student Carlee Russell admitted Monday that she wasn’t abducted earlier this month — as she apologized for the bizarre hoax that sparked a massive two-day search.
“There was no kidnapping…my client did not see a baby,” Russell’s attorney Emory Anthony wrote in a statement presented at a press conference Monday..
“My client did not leave the Hoover area. My client apologizes for her actions to this community…Carlee asks for your forgiveness & prayers.”
Anthony’s confirmation was read by Hoover Police Chief Nicholas Derzis.
Neither Anthony nor Russell were in attendance
Russell, 25, disappeared on July 13, shortly after she called 911 to report a sighting of a toddler walking down 459 in Hoover.
After a two-day search, the Alabama nursing student showed up at her parents’ door on July 15.
Anthony said it’s unclear where Russell actually was for the 49 hours she was reported “missing.” No criminal charges have been filed at this time.
![Hoover police released information Tuesday that contradicts the claim Carlee Russell saw a toddler walking along a highway Thursday night.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/alabama-missing-woman-carlee-russell-03.jpg?w=677)
![After leaving Target, Russell called 911 dispatch to report the toddler on the interstate at 9:34 p.m. and later reiterated the claim to her sister-in-law, with police adding she went missing during her second phone call around 9:36 p.m.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/D45FA77NKFBD3OSKQ4F4Q6FZ3I.jpg?w=913)
![Police officers arrived on the scene five minutes after being dispatched and found Russell's wig, cell phone, and purse along the roadway, with an Apple watch located inside the bag.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/carlee-russell-parents-alabama-02.jpg?w=1024)
![Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/carlee-russell-1.jpg)
![Police also released information that went against the phone call someone inside the house made after Russell returned home as the initial call stated she was unconscious but was up and talking when emergency personnel arrived.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/carlee-russell-parents-alabama-07.jpg?w=1024)
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.