Cousins! Carlee Russell has officially learned her fate following a self-fabricated kidnapping story that shocked the nation last year!
The 26-year-old Birmingham, Alabama woman appeared in court on Thursday, March 21st as she apologized for faking her own kidnapping. She went on to plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of false police reporting.
“I made a grave mistake while trying to fight through various emotional issues and stress,” said Carlee within a Bessemer courtroom during her sentencing.
“I am extremely remorseful for the panic, fear, and various range of negative emotions that were experienced across the nation.”
“I want to specifically acknowledge and take accountability for the pain and embarrassment that I inflicted upon my family, my church family, friends, neighbors, community, and all those who were directly involved in search efforts for me.”
According to CNN, Carlee has been sentenced to one year of supervised probation, 100 hours of community service along with $17,974.88 in restitution to the city of Hoover, Alabama.
She has since acknowledged that she is receiving mental health counseling and was advised by the proceeding judge to continue counseling as a condition of her probation.
As we previously reported Carlee went viral across social media last year while making major headlines after her mysterious disappearance in July 2023. She is said to have dialed 911 to report seeing a child walking alongside a highway.
Arriving officers discovered Carlee’s car and personal belongings but neither she or a child were seen within the area.
Following a 49-hour-long search, Carlee returned home and told relatives as well as authorities that she had been kidnapped but was able to escape.
Following further investigation, Carlee had been found making web searches that included inquiries such as “Do you have to pay for an amber alert?” and “How to make money from a register without being caught.”
She later admitted to the entire ordeal being a hoax.
Reports read that in October, a municipal court judge had determined Carlee was guilty of two misdemeanor charges of false reporting to law enforcement authorities and falsely reporting an incident.
She had originally pleaded not guilty to those charges, while her attorneys said at the time they intended to appeal her case.
According to court records, later in the month, the Jefferson County Circuit Court scheduled a jury trial for March. However earlier this month, the circuit court scheduled Carlee’s plea hearing.
“I also extend my sincerest apologies to the Hoover Police Department and every other law enforcement agency and personnel for the position that I put them in and for the resources used,” said Carlee as she apologized to the Hoover Police Department and fellow members of law enforcement.
Police Chief Nick Derzis was unmoved by Carlee’s apologies as he revealed to reporters that he was disappointed with the sentence.
“I’m very disappointed in the decision not to give any jail time. She gave an apology today, and unfortunately, to me, it’s like seven, eight months late. I don’t know why we didn’t hear that back in July,” the police chief said.
Regarding restitution, Chief Derzis said, “The real figure should probably be in the 40s – at least $40,000-$50,000 for all the money that we spent.”
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