Cousins! The Hoover Police Department has released a new update surrounding the abduction story of Carlee Russell as the 25-year-old has officially admitted to fabricating the entire incident!
According to a news conference held on Monday afternoon, Carlee’s lawyer Emory Anthony forwarded a statement on her behalf to Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis.
“My client has given me permission to make the following statement on her behalf: There was no kidnapping on 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. My client did not have any help in this incident, but this was a single act done by herself,’’ reads the issued statement.
“My client was not with anyone or at any hotel during the time she was missing.”
“My client apologizes for her actions to the community, the volunteers who were searching for her, to the Hoover Police Department and other agencies, as well as to her friends and family,’’ says attorney in the forwarded statement.
“We ask for your prayers for Carlee as she addresses her issues and intends to move understanding that she made a mistake,’’ Anthony said. “Carlee again asks for your forgiveness and prayers.”
Anthony tells AL.com that Carlee informed him that despite the widely circulated rumors on social media, she was not at the Red Roof Inn during her disappearance.
Sources state that at this time there have been no charges filed against Carlee.
Derzis confirms there is a meeting scheduled with Carlee on Tuesday to further discuss her abduction story.
Derzis said that the Hoover police are in discussions with the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office in the Bessemer Cutoff about possible criminal charges.
”We will announce those charges when, and if, they are filed,’’ the chief said.
Her attorney confirms that he personally doesn’t know why Carlee made up the now viral story. “The sad thing is there were so many people involved and took this thing very, very seriously and, again, we wanted the focus to be to bring her home and she got home. We’re very excited about that.”
”It is what it is,’’ Anthony added. “We know that it was a hoax.”
Carlee’s attorney admits that though he is not happy about the overall turn of events he explains, “It at least puts some of the social media super sleuths hopefully to rest for a little bit,’’ he said. “We know by her own admission it didn’t happen and we’re thankful for that.”