25-year-old vanished after calling 911, Alabama cops say. Now she’s been found
UPDATE: On July 15, the Hoover Police Department reported that Carlee Russell was found. Police said she came back to her home on foot and was evaluated at a hospital. Alabama officers continue to investigate evidence, including traffic camera footage.
The original story is below.
A 25-year-old woman went missing after she called 911 — and now, her vehicle and other belongings have been found, Alabama officials said.
Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell told emergency officials she saw a young child wandering on the side of Interstate 459. She pulled over to check on the toddler and also called a relative to share the news about her discovery, the Hoover Police Department said in a news release.
“The family member lost contact with her, but the line remained open,” police wrote.
As officers responded to the 911 call late Thursday, July 13, they reportedly found Russell’s abandoned vehicle and personal items, including her purse, phone and Apple Watch. But they didn’t find her or a toddler, according to police and AL.com.
Police also said no one in the area reported missing a young child, deepening the mystery.
As the search for clues continues, officers said there is $25,000 in rewards for information on the case. Anyone with information is asked to call 205-444-7562.
Russell was “wearing a black shirt, black pants and white Nike shoes” before she disappeared near the interstate’s southbound mile marker 11, police said. She is 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds.
During video from a news conference that police shared on Facebook, Lt. Daniel Lowe said the missing woman called 911 after conducting business in Birmingham and stopping for food.
Hoover is roughly 10 miles south of downtown Birmingham.
This story was originally published July 14, 2023 at 8:15 AM with the headline "25-year-old vanished after calling 911, Alabama cops say. Now she’s been found."
