- Carlee Russell was reported missing after calling police about toddler on the side of the road.
- When she reappeared days later, police in Hoover, Alabama, were unable to verify her story.
A lawyer for Carlee Russell, the Alabama woman who had been briefly reported as missing after calling police about a toddler on the side of the highway, said Monday none of her story was true.
"There was no kidnapping on Thursday, July 13, 2023. My client did not see a baby on the side of the road. My client did not leave the Hoover area when she was identified as a missing person," the statement, which was read by Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis at a news conference, said. "My client did not have any help in this incident. This was a single act done by herself."
Russell, 25, vanished on July 13 after calling police to report seeing young boy on the highway. Russell's family told police she had been on the phone with a relative and screamed before they lost contact. When police arrived at the scene, Russell was gone.
She was believed missing for 49 hours before reappearing at her home on foot on July 15. Russell told investigators that she had been abducted after pulling over to help the boy, but police were unable to verify her statements.
The statement provided by Russell's attorney, Emery Anthony, said she acted alone and that she was not with anyone else during the time she was believed missing.
"My client apologizes for her actions to this 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 statement said. "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."
Derzis added officials are considering whether or not to bring criminal charges in relation to the case.
Russell's lawyer and the Hoover Police Department did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.