Authorities cost Alabama girl who acknowledged fabricating story about kidnapping, toddler

HOOVER, Ala. — Authorities in Alabama stated Friday they’ve filed prison expenses in opposition to a lady who confessed to fabricating a narrative that she was kidnapped after stopping to examine on a toddler she noticed strolling on the facet of the interstate. She has been charged with misdemeanor false reporting to legislation enforcement and falsely reporting an incident.

Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis introduced the costs in opposition to Carlee Russell at a information convention. He stated she turned herself into jail Friday and was launched on bond.

“Her decisions that night created panic and alarm for citizens of our city and even across the nation as concern grew that a kidnapper was on the lose using a small child as bait,” he stated.

Derzis stated he was pissed off that Russell was solely being charged with two misdemeanors regardless of the panic and disruption she induced, however he stated the legislation didn’t permit for enhanced expenses.

Russell, 25, disappeared after calling 911 on July 13 to report a toddler wandering beside a stretch of interstate. She returned residence two days later and informed police she had been kidnapped and compelled right into a automobile.

Her disappearance turned a nationwide information story. Images of the lacking girl have been shared broadly on social media.

Her lawyer, Emory Anthony, stated she made the story up. In a press release learn by police Monday, Anthony stated Russell was not kidnapped, didn’t see a child on the facet of the highway, didn’t depart the town and acted alone. He stated Russell apologized and he requested for prayers and forgiveness as she “addresses her issues and attempts to move forward, understanding that she made a mistake in this matter.”