Found Alive AL - Carlethia “Carlee” Russell, 25, 911 call reported toddler walking on side of interstate, car found, she & toddler gone, Birmingham, 13 Jul ‘23 #2

[GA_Peach]

I am really torn about what I think happened. I will say that I do not believe that there was a child abduction. That is not to say that CR didn't believe that she saw a child on the side of the road, but I do not think that an abducted child was actually on I-459.

I get a sense that this falls somewhere in between being forcefully abducted and leaving on her own accord. Maybe she was held against her will? Or maybe something took an unexpected turn?? It makes no sense that if you want to unknowingly disappear (even for a bit) that you alert both 9-1-1 and your family of your whereabouts at the exact moment that you want to disappear. It is all so strange.

I do believe that this was a traumatic experience for CR and her family. I am so thankful that she returned home safely!

 

[Ontario Mom]

This is what is confusing to me:

Let's say that a child was used as a ruse. What would be the motive to use a child as a ruse at night, not knowing who would stop to help the child? (1) Robbery/carjacking? (2) Kidnapping/rape? (3) Murder? We have to assume that it was a ruse because the boyfriend said that Carlee fought for her life for 48 hours before "escaping."

So, it doesn't seem that the motive was robbery or carjacking as her phone, her Apple watch, her Mercedes and her purse with wallet were all left behind.

Was the motive kidnapping and rape? If so, how did the perpetrator(s) know that a female and not an armed trucker would stop to help the child? So, this doesn't seem likely to me. If it were people on drugs, it would seem to me that they would have also stolen her Mercedes or at least her purse/wallet with money. It also doesn't make sense to me that she would be permitted to fight for her life and not be killed in the process (like Aniah Blanchard). She was left alive to identify the kidnappers??

Was the motive just to murder some random person who pulled over on the side of the road? If so, the perpetrators are taking a chance by leaving her alive to identify him or them.

How did Carlee get home? Where was she during the time she was missing? Has she spoken to police yet? Has she met with a sketch artist? Is she worried that the kidnapper(s) will return or do this to some other victim?

Is anyone else having the same problem logically understanding this entire situation?

JMO.

Well said.
As to your bolded (by me) final question:
No, I am not having the same problem.

jmo

 

[JerseyWasHome2]

Great questions! I hope we get the answers. I'll add another one:
What if she stumbled into something entirely unrelated to a pre-meditated person lying in wait for a victim?

I think that's a great thought as well. My personal thought about that type of situation though - let's say it was someone high on drugs that looked like a child, and they attacked her as she approached them - I doubt she'd have disappeared. Her body would probably be left on the side of the road, either injured or worse. Do groups of people hang out in that thin strip of trees (I hesitate to refer to it as "woods" because it's so narrow, it's not like wilderness to me)? If they do, then I'd think it more possible that something happened to harm her and they took her away, but then why move her car?

 

[arielilane]

BBM
Well, in my opinion he should get all the facts straight before he gives expert opinions. He states the the police took her home in this quote. That's a large error.

I read it differently than you. Moo

 

[Seattle1]

LISTEN: What the 911 calls reveal about the disappearance and return of Carlee Russell

The 911 calls from the night Carlee Russell went missing reveal confusion from first responders who went to find a toddler along the interstate and arrived to find no one in the area.

www.wvtm13.com

Updated: 5:46 PM CDT Jul 18, 2023

Family also responded to the Red Roof Inn in Vestavia Hills just hours before Russell returned home, saying they had gotten a call that she was at one of the Red Roof Inn locations, according to another 911 call.

See link above for three, 911 calls.

 

[Gardenista]

LISTEN: What the 911 calls reveal about the disappearance and return of Carlee Russell

The 911 calls from the night Carlee Russell went missing reveal confusion from first responders who went to find a toddler along the interstate and arrived to find no one in the area.

www.wvtm13.com

Updated: 5:46 PM CDT Jul 18, 2023

Family also responded to the Red Roof Inn in Vestavia Hills just hours before Russell returned home, saying they had gotten a call that she was at one of the Red Roof Inn locations, according to another 911 call.

See link above for three, 911 calls.

Ugh, these aren't 911 calls. I wish they would release them

 

[Lancer70]

‘Smart, courteous’ Carlee Russell left imprint on Alabama police department before going missing

"We were able to tell her how much we thought of her and that she would do well in life," the Harpersville Police Department said.

www.al.com

I hope I've linked this story from thread 1 correctly. It is most likely nothing, as it hasn't been mentioned again, but I find myself wondering what business she had with the police in Harpersville. According to a map search it is 40 minutes away from Hoover.

 

[arielilane]

Has there been a sketch of the abductor yet? moo

 

[Ontario Mom]

Has there been a sketch of the abductor yet? moo

Nope.

 

[Quill]

I read it differently than you. Moo

He clearly states that the police brought her home, which they factually did not.

 

[arielilane]

Not saying she is lying, but it's dark on those roads and would be hard to see anything - let alone a child. Aren't you most likely looking ahead when driving on an interstate? Moo

 

[imstilla.grandma]

 

[Quill]

I think that's a great thought as well. My personal thought about that type of situation though - let's say it was someone high on drugs that looked like a child, and they attacked her as she approached them - I doubt she'd have disappeared. Her body would probably be left on the side of the road, either injured or worse. Do groups of people hang out in that thin strip of trees (I hesitate to refer to it as "woods" because it's so narrow, it's not like wilderness to me)? If they do, then I'd think it more possible that something happened to harm her and they took her away, but then why move her car?

Like you, I have too many questions and not enough answers.

 

[arielilane]

Reposting (if its been posted already) for those that have not seen this.

In an exclusive sit down with @NBCNews, the parents of 25-year-old Carlee Russell, Alabama woman who had been missing for two days, are speaking out. @PriscillaWT shares the details.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1681267517631737856

https://twitter.com/TODAYshow

 

[Ontario Mom]

He clearly states that the police brought her home, which they factually did not.

Ex or retired specialists chime in on headline true crime cases all the time, and almost always get some of the fine details wrong. It's kind of annoying, but that's usually not what the article is even about.

The point is, usually, to direct attention to what LE is, or isn't doing, that gives you insight into which direction the investigation is headed. We have some verified current & former LE here, and they do the same thing. They might not know the details of the case, but they do have valuable insight into how investigations usually go.

jmo

 

[nikki80]

Who was the person screaming with the baby? This is such a weird case.

 

[Ontario Mom]

Who was the person screaming with the baby? This is such a weird case.

I believe that was a secondary call to 911 from Carlee's brother's GF, who was on the line with her, when she screamed, before the line went silent, except for the highway traffic noise.

 

[Seattle1]

Ugh, these aren't 911 calls. I wish they would release them

I don't expect the release of third-party calls/communication with Police released as long as this is deemed an "active investigation" by Hoover police. At least we are hearing police dispatch communication outside of the scanner! Also, good for the clarification that the Red Roof call was on the date CR returned home. I wasn't aware of this. JMO

 

[Quill]

"Please be advised her vehicle is unlocked and running, with all her personal belongings except for her phone."

 

[arielilane]

This is what is confusing to me:

Let's say that a child was used as a ruse. What would be the motive to use a child as a ruse at night, not knowing who would stop to help the child? (1) Robbery/carjacking? (2) Kidnapping/rape? (3) Murder? We have to assume that it was a ruse because the boyfriend said that Carlee fought for her life for 48 hours before "escaping."

So, it doesn't seem that the motive was robbery or carjacking as her phone, her Apple watch, her Mercedes and her purse with wallet were all left behind.

Was the motive kidnapping and rape? If so, how did the perpetrator(s) know that a female and not an armed trucker would stop to help the child? So, this doesn't seem likely to me. If it were people on drugs, it would seem to me that they would have also stolen her Mercedes or at least her purse/wallet with money. It also doesn't make sense to me that she would be permitted to fight for her life and not be killed in the process (like Aniah Blanchard). She was left alive to identify the kidnappers??

Was the motive just to murder some random person who pulled over on the side of the road? If so, the perpetrators are taking a chance by leaving her alive to identify him or them.

How did Carlee get home? Where was she during the time she was missing? Has she spoken to police yet? Has she met with a sketch artist? Is she worried that the kidnapper(s) will return or do this to some other victim?

Is anyone else having the same problem logically understanding this entire situation?

JMO.

You're not confused but spot on! Again, not saying she is lying but your post is exactly what I've felt... it's common sense. I hope that she gets assistance with whatever is going on in her life. I anticipate something will be revealed about this in a day or two. Maybe not... MOO