Police release shocking new details in Carlee Russell disappearance, including google searches about amber alerts
The nation has kept an eye on Carlee Russell’s disappearance and reappearance out of Hoover, Alabama, but police have released new details about the case, including Google searches, what she took from her job, and what she told detectives.
The case began on July 13, 2023, when Carlee Russell called 911 on I-459 South near mile marker 11 who reported she saw a toddler walking on the side of the interstate. Russell later called a family member and she screamed and the member lost contact with her, but the line remained open with noises of traffic could be heard, the family says.
Search parties from police, family, and the community began but ended on Saturday, July 15, 2023, she walked up to her house. Russell‘s family called 911 and she was transported to UAB.
Today, July 19, 2023, Hoover police held a press conference where they announced shocking and new details.
When she left her workplace at 8:20 P.M. that day, she concealed a bathrobe and toilet paper. She then stopped at a Target on Highway 280 and bought snacks, and stayed in the Target parking lot until 9:20 P.M. Russell then called 911 at 9:34 P.M., and then her family at 9:36 P.M. While on the phone she drove 600 feet, which is 6 football fields, according to Police Chief Derzis. When police arrived at the scene along I-459, they found Russell’s vehicle, along with her purse, phone, and what she ordered from a restaurant, but what was not found was her Target purchase and the bathrobe and toilet paper from her workplace.
Police said their continuous searches turned up nothing, until when Russell showed up to her house Saturday night. Russell told detectives during their brief interview that a man came out of the wooded area and mumbled at the baby and picked her up. The man, described as a male with orange hair with a bald spot, made her go over a fence. From there, she says, she was forced into a trailer and all she remembered was being in the trailer of an 18-wheeler.
“She stated that the male was with a female, however, she never saw the female, only hearing her voice. She also told detectives she could hear a baby crying,” Chief Derzis said. “She was able to escape the 18-wheeler and fled on foot, only to be captured again and put into a car. She was then blindfolded, but was not tied up because the captors said they did not want to leave impressions on her wrists.”
She told detectives they took her into a house and made her undress. While undressed, they took pictures but made no physical or sexual contact. She stated that the next day, she woke up and was fed cheese crackers by the female. She also said the female also played with her hair.
Finally, Russell told police that she was put back in a vehicle that she claims was able to escape from while it was west Hoover area and ran through lots of woods until she came out near her residence. Russell appeared to have a small injury to her lip. She also complained of head pain. Detectives say she had $107 in cash in her right sock.
Police Chief Derzis say their investigation also led to them finding several interesting searches on electronic devices. The searches include: “Do you have to pay for an amber alert?”, “How to take money from the register without getting caught on Reddit”, “Birmingham bus station”, the movie ‘Taken’, and the maximum age of an Amber Alert.
Police say they have not been granted a second interview with Russell. Police say there is no threat to the public, as well as there is no evidence of a toddler. The investigation is not over, police add.
This is a developing story.
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