Carlee Russell turned herself in and has been charged with falsely reporting an incident
CNN —
Carlee Russell, the Alabama woman who called 911 to report a toddler walking along the highway and then vanished for 49 hours, turned herself in on Friday afternoon.
The 26-year-old is being charged with falsely reporting to law enforcement officers and falsely reporting an incident, both misdemeanors.
She was released on bail, Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis announced at a news conference.
Her story captured the nation’s attention, but as it turns out, she did not see a toddler on the side of the road, wasn’t kidnapped, did not leave the Hoover area and acted alone, Emory Anthony, Russell’s attorney, said in a statement Monday.
Both misdemeanor charges have a maximum sentence of up to a year in jail and a fine up to $6,000, Derzis said.
“I know many are shocked and appalled that Miss Russell is only being charged with two misdemeanors, despite all the panic and disruption her actions caused,” he said.
“Let me assure you I too share the same frustration,” he went on. “But existing laws only allow the charges that were filed to be filed.”
The investigation will be handled by the office of Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall.
“We don’t see this as a victimless crime,” Marshall said at the Friday news conference. “There were significant hours spent, resources expended as a result of this investigation.” He also cited the “many men and women who are civilians” who helped search for her.
Derzis said no charges have been filed against Russell’s family or any other individuals. Additional charges may be filed as the attorney general’s office works through their investigation, he added.
In the statement from her attorney, Russell apologized to the community for her actions, but did not detail where she was during the 49 hours she was missing.
“We still don’t know where she was,” Derzis told reporters Monday, adding, “Only Carlee knows, and maybe now her attorney.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Source: CNN
