gitana1
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No way!!!
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 #3
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Elliot_Alderson
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If she was gonna reenact a Liam Neeson movie then she should have tried to train Obi Wan.
that is a choice she can make. but i think that's likely not the choice that will lead to the best outcome for her and anyone that may have been an accomplice.
Yes, she is going to need a lawyer and he will tell her do not talk to press or LE.
that $107 in here sock!
LaLaw2000
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gitana1, they do have the right at this point to charge her with theft but I cannot see them doing that on what at this point is a misdemeanor.
As to treating her as they would any other criminal, they do have evidence of criminality. They can bring her in for questioning and at that point she can refuse to answer any questions, be read her Miranda Rights, and at that point ask to call a lawyer. At the point where she asks for a lawyer, no questions can be asked. LE then has to charge her or let her go.
But no, I do understand LE cannot force her to answer any questions. They CAN and should follow protocol for the theft from her employer.
arielilane
Justice for Liz Barraza
Detectives have asked to speak to Carlee again, but they have been denied. They say they have many questions remaining, but they say they do not believe there is any threat to the public at this time.
RIGHT NOW: #CarleeRussell press conference: "This investigation is not over." Surveillance video show Carlee concealed items from her business like toilet paper. She ordered food and then went to Target to buy more food. She stayed at the shopping center until driving to I-459. Investigators now playing the 911 call Carlee made to police on the night of her disappearance.
In the 911 call, you can hear Carlee speak to the dispatcher. Carlee tells the dispatcher that a toddler, around 3-4 years old, is walking southbound on the interstate. She says she can see them and the dispatcher says to keep an eye on them until police could arrive.
Dispatcher tells her to put her hazards on and Carlee tells dispatcher that toddler does not look injured. She says the toddler is a boy wearing a white t-shirt and a diaper with no pants on. Carlee discloses her full name to the dispatcher and the car she is driving.
Carlee says the Toddler is not wearing shoes. Dispatcher says to continue to keep eyes on the child and the phone call ends. Back at the presser, police officials say that Carlee calls her family before disappearing. Police say Carlee's 911 call is the only witness account of a toddler on the interstate.
Data from Carlee's phone shows she traveled approximately 600 yards while on the phone with 911. That is six football fields straight that the toddler would have had to walk.
The items #CarleeRussell purchased from Target nor the stuff she stole from her job were found near the vehicle. A drone unit, investigators all came in to assist in the search for Carlee. K9 teams came to check for signs of Carlee. Those searches, of course, turned up empty.
At 10:44pm on July 15, 911 dispatcher receives call saying she returned home on foot. Surveillance footage shows her walk up the sidewalk alone. She was conscious and speaking to paramedics when being transported. She told detectives that she saw a baby on the road when a man came out of the trees, picked her up and that's when she screamed. She says he forced her into the back of an 18-wheeler. She said she heard the voice of a female, but never saw her. She says she fled on foot before being captured again. She was blindfolded but not tied up as to not leave impressions on wrists. She says he was forced to take naked pictures but never had any sexual contact. She claims she was able to escape a moving vehicle when in the west Hoover area. Carlee has a small injury to her lip and she said her head was hurting. Carlee had $107 in her right sock. Detectives at this time did not press Carlee any further at this time to give her time to rest.
On July 11, the term "do you have to pay for an amber alert" were searched. Also the term, "how to take money from a register without being caught" were searched. On the day of her disappearance, "Birmingham bus station" was searched. Also, a one way bus ticket to Nashville was searched with a July 13 departure date.
Detectives have asked to speak to Carlee again, but they have been denied. They say they have many questions remaining, but they say they do not believe there is any threat to the public at this time.
"She is not ready to talk" is what detectives have been told.
RIGHT NOW: #CarleeRussell press conference: "This investigation is not over." Surveillance video show Carlee concealed items from her business like toilet paper. She ordered food and then went to Target to buy more food. She stayed at the shopping center until driving to I-459. Investigators now playing the 911 call Carlee made to police on the night of her disappearance.
In the 911 call, you can hear Carlee speak to the dispatcher. Carlee tells the dispatcher that a toddler, around 3-4 years old, is walking southbound on the interstate. She says she can see them and the dispatcher says to keep an eye on them until police could arrive.
Dispatcher tells her to put her hazards on and Carlee tells dispatcher that toddler does not look injured. She says the toddler is a boy wearing a white t-shirt and a diaper with no pants on. Carlee discloses her full name to the dispatcher and the car she is driving.
Carlee says the Toddler is not wearing shoes. Dispatcher says to continue to keep eyes on the child and the phone call ends. Back at the presser, police officials say that Carlee calls her family before disappearing. Police say Carlee's 911 call is the only witness account of a toddler on the interstate.
Data from Carlee's phone shows she traveled approximately 600 yards while on the phone with 911. That is six football fields straight that the toddler would have had to walk.
The items #CarleeRussell purchased from Target nor the stuff she stole from her job were found near the vehicle. A drone unit, investigators all came in to assist in the search for Carlee. K9 teams came to check for signs of Carlee. Those searches, of course, turned up empty.
At 10:44pm on July 15, 911 dispatcher receives call saying she returned home on foot. Surveillance footage shows her walk up the sidewalk alone. She was conscious and speaking to paramedics when being transported. She told detectives that she saw a baby on the road when a man came out of the trees, picked her up and that's when she screamed. She says he forced her into the back of an 18-wheeler. She said she heard the voice of a female, but never saw her. She says she fled on foot before being captured again. She was blindfolded but not tied up as to not leave impressions on wrists. She says he was forced to take naked pictures but never had any sexual contact. She claims she was able to escape a moving vehicle when in the west Hoover area. Carlee has a small injury to her lip and she said her head was hurting. Carlee had $107 in her right sock. Detectives at this time did not press Carlee any further at this time to give her time to rest.
On July 11, the term "do you have to pay for an amber alert" were searched. Also the term, "how to take money from a register without being caught" were searched. On the day of her disappearance, "Birmingham bus station" was searched. Also, a one way bus ticket to Nashville was searched with a July 13 departure date.
Detectives have asked to speak to Carlee again, but they have been denied. They say they have many questions remaining, but they say they do not believe there is any threat to the public at this time.
"She is not ready to talk" is what detectives have been told.
CamilleBSP
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They’re google searches, actually.
Elliot_Alderson
Well-Known Idiot
Is that dependent on whether her employer wants to press charges?
legalmomma
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They can arrest her due to the stolen items/money from the Spa. They of course can then use that to negotiate the story out of her.
My questions are...where was she for that duration and why did she come home? Did someone assist her? Did she discover what a mess this turned into and had to return to redeem herself (in her view) and most importantly...
Why?
My questions are...where was she for that duration and why did she come home? Did someone assist her? Did she discover what a mess this turned into and had to return to redeem herself (in her view) and most importantly...
Why?
Arkay
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IANAL nor LE, so I ask those who are——
if her employer chooses not to press charges, with what I take to be a misdemeanor level of theft, aren’t LE able to charge her on the fact that she filed a fake police report?
TIA
bestill
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The more I read on here the angrier I am getting! I want her to pay for these shenanigans and I want her to be made an example of.
Fargo
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Realistically, there is no pressing reason for LE to speak to this young lady anyway. The public is not in danger. The young lady is not in danger. There is no criminal abduction that occurred. There was no wandering toddler. There is no evidence that lends credence to the first story she told LE so repeating it is a waste of time. CR is not a reliable narrator so LE's time is better spent just continuing to investigate without her assistance. Which they WILL do whether she talks to them or not. She's probably googling, "Do you have to talk to the police in Alabama?" right now. My opinions only.
arielilane
Justice for Liz Barraza
gitana1
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Just to clarify, because I am stickler for things like that, they can't detain or arrest her for the purposes of questioning and they can't try to compel her to answer questions if she is detained. An arrest is only allowed for a specific crime (probable cause), not for the purposes of investigating her or getting answers to questions. They can ask her questions at any time, But they can't compel her to answer or even try to compel her to answer questions. All they can do is ask her if she's willing to talk.
If they were investigating something and talking to her or anyone else as a potential witness, rather than a suspect, they can't force her or any witness to speak to them, either. The only way to compel someone to talk is via subpoena and only if the information isn't subject to a possible 5th amendment privilege.
arielilane
Justice for Liz Barraza
LISTEN: Carlee Russell's 911 call released
LISTEN: Carlee Russell’s 911 call released
www.cbs42.com
Read the full transcript of the 911 call in its entirety here:
Carlee Russell: Hi, I am on Interstate 459 and there is a kid walking by their self.
Dispatcher: Hold on hold on, where are they [can’t hear]
Russell: Um, um, I’m right next to the exit, exit 10 by the Hoover Met, like getting off by the Hoover Met.
Dispatcher: OK, so you’re before that exit?
Russell: Yes.
Dispatcher: OK, and you’re heading southbound?
Russell: Uh huh, south.
Dispatcher: OK, heading towards Tuscaloosa or 280?
Russell: Towards Tuscaloosa.
Dispatcher: OK and was the child on the left or right side?
Russell: On the right side.
Dispatcher: Were they walking northbound or southbound?
Russell: Uh, they’re walking towards Tuscaloosa.
Dispatcher: Walking southbound. How old did they look?
Russell: Um, like a toddler, like maybe three or four?
Dispatcher: Did you pull over with them? Are you still with them?
Russell: Yes.
Dispatcher: OK. Are you with the child right now?
Russell: No, I’m not. I didn’t get out of the car. I can see them, though.
Dispatcher: Can you, do you mind staying and keeping an eye on them until we get there?
Russell: Yeah. Yeah, sure yeah.
Dispatcher: OK, and what kind of car are you in?
Russell: I’m in a red Mercedes-Benz.
Dispatcher: Is it a sedan or SUV?
Russell: SUV. I mean, it’s a sedan. Sorry.
Dispatcher: Can you put your hazards on for me?
Russell: Yeah, they’re on.
Dispatcher: OK. Did you talk to the child at all? Or did you say anything to them?
Russell: No, no.
Dispatcher: OK, do they look like they’re injured?
Russell: No, they don’t.
Dispatcher: [inaudible]
Russell: They’re white.
Dispatcher: Is it a male or female?
Russell: I think it’s a boy, a little boy.
Dispatcher: White male, OK. Is he wearing clothes?
Russell: Yes.
Dispatcher: OK, what is he wearing?
Russell: It’s a white T-shirt, and it doesn’t look like he has any pants on. It looks like a diaper.
Dispatcher: You don’t see any cars anywhere?
Russell: No, no cars anywhere.
Dispatcher: OK. Alright. What’s your name?
Russell: My name is Carlee Russell.
Dispatcher: And you don’t see any injuries on the child from where you’re at, correct?
Russell: No, no, but I can’t really see them that good.
Dispatcher: OK, try to keep an eye on them for the best that you can because I don’t want you to lose track of them.
Russell: OK.
Dispatcher: Alright, and does he have any shoes on?
Russell: No, not that I can see. I can’t really see that far.
Dispatcher: OK, I’ve got them on the way, OK? Just try to stay and keep an eye on them but the officers are on the way, OK?
Russell: OK. Thanks.
Dispatcher: Thank you.
Russell: OK, bye.
LISTEN: Carlee Russell’s 911 call released
LISTEN: Carlee Russell’s 911 call released
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Police have released the full 911 call Carlee Russell made before she disappeared for two days last week. During a press conference Wednesday, Hoover Police…
www.cbs42.com
Read the full transcript of the 911 call in its entirety here:
Carlee Russell: Hi, I am on Interstate 459 and there is a kid walking by their self.
Dispatcher: Hold on hold on, where are they [can’t hear]
Russell: Um, um, I’m right next to the exit, exit 10 by the Hoover Met, like getting off by the Hoover Met.
Dispatcher: OK, so you’re before that exit?
Russell: Yes.
Dispatcher: OK, and you’re heading southbound?
Russell: Uh huh, south.
Dispatcher: OK, heading towards Tuscaloosa or 280?
Russell: Towards Tuscaloosa.
Dispatcher: OK and was the child on the left or right side?
Russell: On the right side.
Dispatcher: Were they walking northbound or southbound?
Russell: Uh, they’re walking towards Tuscaloosa.
Dispatcher: Walking southbound. How old did they look?
Russell: Um, like a toddler, like maybe three or four?
Dispatcher: Did you pull over with them? Are you still with them?
Russell: Yes.
Dispatcher: OK. Are you with the child right now?
Russell: No, I’m not. I didn’t get out of the car. I can see them, though.
Dispatcher: Can you, do you mind staying and keeping an eye on them until we get there?
Russell: Yeah. Yeah, sure yeah.
Dispatcher: OK, and what kind of car are you in?
Russell: I’m in a red Mercedes-Benz.
Dispatcher: Is it a sedan or SUV?
Russell: SUV. I mean, it’s a sedan. Sorry.
Dispatcher: Can you put your hazards on for me?
Russell: Yeah, they’re on.
Dispatcher: OK. Did you talk to the child at all? Or did you say anything to them?
Russell: No, no.
Dispatcher: OK, do they look like they’re injured?
Russell: No, they don’t.
Dispatcher: [inaudible]
Russell: They’re white.
Dispatcher: Is it a male or female?
Russell: I think it’s a boy, a little boy.
Dispatcher: White male, OK. Is he wearing clothes?
Russell: Yes.
Dispatcher: OK, what is he wearing?
Russell: It’s a white T-shirt, and it doesn’t look like he has any pants on. It looks like a diaper.
Dispatcher: You don’t see any cars anywhere?
Russell: No, no cars anywhere.
Dispatcher: OK. Alright. What’s your name?
Russell: My name is Carlee Russell.
Dispatcher: And you don’t see any injuries on the child from where you’re at, correct?
Russell: No, no, but I can’t really see them that good.
Dispatcher: OK, try to keep an eye on them for the best that you can because I don’t want you to lose track of them.
Russell: OK.
Dispatcher: Alright, and does he have any shoes on?
Russell: No, not that I can see. I can’t really see that far.
Dispatcher: OK, I’ve got them on the way, OK? Just try to stay and keep an eye on them but the officers are on the way, OK?
Russell: OK. Thanks.
Dispatcher: Thank you.
Russell: OK, bye.
gitana1
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You're on fire today with those finds!!!
Allabouttrial
Until you've walked a mile in someone else's shoes
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TRANSCRIPTION OF PRESS CONFERENCE
19TH JULY
MAYOR - Thank you and good afternoon for you all coming today. You know, 6 days ago, our community learned about the disappearance of Carlee Russell, and it sent fear and pandemonium, not just through our city, but the entire state and the nation as well. The media quickly joined us to get the word out about Carlee. Our community sprung into action and they organised search parties, arranged prayer vigils and they took other steps that I'm not even aware of, to help in this situation. The Hoover Police Department quickly rallied multiple partner agencies, stopping at nothing, to find Carlee.
I'd like to take this time to say thank you, first to the Hoover Police Department, our partner agencies, our wonderful community and to all those that aided in some way in connection with this situation.
As the days have gone on and more information has been shared, we know everyone has questions. The Hoover Police Department is known for being very methodical and thorough with investigations. For that reason, we did not feel comfortable speaking in detail, publicly, until now. It is important that we share this information, now, so that our community can be put at ease. So at this time, I'll turn the microphone over to Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis.
CHIEF - Thank you everyone for being here today. Beside me, stands a team who played a significant role in this investigation. I want to thank our department, members of surrounding local law enforcement agencies, the FBI, Secret Service, United States Marshals and Alia, for their assistance in this case. We said, from the evening of July 13th., our focus would be the safe return of Carlee Russell. That occurred on Saturday July 15th., approximately 49 hrs. after she called 911 and disappeared. From that point, our focus has been to determine Carlee's whereabouts during that time and what exactly took place.
Let me say up front, this investigation is not over, we're still working this case and we'll be working this case until we uncover every piece of evidence that helps us account for the 49 hrs. that Carlee Russell was missing. However, through the public interest, and in some cases, public fear that this story has generated, we owe it to our citizens to tell them the facts that we have uncovered. So, I will give you the facts that we know today.
On July 13th., at approximately 8:20 pm., Carlee left work from a business at the Summit, surveillance video from her place of employment shows Carlee concealed a dark coloured bathrobe, a roll of toilet paper, and other items belonging to the business, prior to her departure. She ordered food from Taziki’s at the Colonade and travelled there. She then travelled to Target on 280, where she purchased some granola bars and cheeses. From there, she remained in the parking lot, at that shopping centre, until 9:21 pm., when she drove to I-459.
Carlee communicated, on her cell phone, with individuals known to her while in her path of travel, up to the point of calling 911 at 9:34 pm., and at this time, we will play the 911 call in its entirety.
(911 call is played. Full transcript of call from link @arielilane provided here 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 #3)
Carlee called a relative after speaking with the 911 operator. She went missing during that conversation, sometime after 9:36 pm. Traffic camera footage was obtained which depicted this portion of the incident and that footage was analysed as part of the investigation in conjunction with the 911 call and cell phone data to accurately determine the timeframe. Carlee's 911 call remains the only report of a child on the interstate, despite numerous vehicles passing through the area at that time. No one has called a report that a child is missing and the Hoover Police Department did not locate any evidence of a small child walking down the interstate. Data from Carlee's phone, including her Life360 app shows that she travelled approximately 600 yds., in her vehicle, while she was on the phone with 911, stating that she was following a child; 600 yards - that is 6 football fields straight - 600 yards. The Hoover 911 centre received a second call from Carlee's mother stating that a relative was on the phone with her when they heard Carlee scream and then they had an open phone line.
Hoover police officers arrived on the scene within five minutes of being dispatched, and several other officers arrived shortly. They located Carlee's wig and cell phone in the grass, near the vehicle. Her purse was located in the front seat of her vehicle with her Apple Watch in the purse. The food she ordered, from Taziki’s, was also in the car. The items she purchased from Target, as well as the items taken from her place of employment, were not in the vehicle, nor were they located anywhere around the scene.
Hoover police deployed all available assets, from the point in the search for Carlee. Additional resources were called in, to include; our own drone unit, crime scene investigators, numerous detectives responded to the scene. Throughout the day, Friday, officers from surrounding local and federal agencies assisted Hoover police in the search for Carlee Russell. Officers returned to the scene on 459 to conduct a thorough line search for evidence. K-9 teams from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department responded to check for any sign of Carlee, the child that she claimed to see and anything else that could be considered evidence in this case; those searches all turned up empty.
Private citizens, including: search parties, organised by her family, friends, began looking everywhere that they could to find any trace. These searches took place throughout the day Friday and again on Saturday, yielding nothing. At 10:44 pm. on July 15th., the Hoover 911 centre receives a call from Carlee's residence, stating that she returned home, on foot. In subsequent investigations, detectives obtained surveillance footage of Carlee walking down the sidewalk, alone, prior to arrival at her residence. She was conscious and speaking with paramedics when she was transported to UAB. Detectivess were able to obtain a brief statement from her, prior to being treated and released. During this statement, she told detectives, that while travelling down the interstate, she saw a baby walking down the side of the road and called 911. She stated, when she got out of her vehicle to check on the child, a man came out of the trees and mumbled that he was checking on the baby. She claimed that the man then picked her up and she screamed. She stated he then made her go over a fence, she claims he then forced her into a car and the next thing she remembers is being in the trailer of an 18 Wheeler. She stated that the male was with a female, however, she never saw the female, only hearing her voice. She also told detectives she could hear a baby crying. She told detectives the male had orange hair with a big bald spot on the back. She said she was able to escape the 18 Wheeler and fled on foot, only to be captured again and then was put in a car. She claimed she was then blindfolded but was not tied up, because the captor said they did not want to leave impressions on her wrists. She said that they took her into a house and made her get undressed. She believes they took pictures of her but she does not remember them having any physical or sexual contact. She stated, the next day she woke up, and was fed cheese crackers by the female. She said the woman also played with her hair, but could not remember anything else. At some point, she was put back in a vehicle. She claimed she was able to escape while it was in the West Hoover area. She told detectives she ran through lots of woods until she came out near her residence. During this interview, detectives noted that Carlee had a small injury to her lip and she claimed that her head was hurting. She also had a tear in her shirt. Detectives also noted that she had $107 cash in her right sock. Out of respect for Carlee and her family, detectives did not press for additional information in this interview and made plans to speak with her in detail after giving her time to rest.
Detectives continued analysing data from Carlee's cell phone, that was left behind at the scene. We enlisted the help of United States Secret Service in conducting this analysis. Part of that data includes several internet searches, in the days leading up to her disappearance, that I think are very relevant to this case.
There were 2 searches later to Amber Alerts on a computer at Carlee's place of employment, including one regarding the maximum age of an Amber Alert. There were other searches on Carlee's phone that appeared to shed some light on her mindset, but out of respect for her privacy, we will not be releasing the content of those searches at this time.
We've asked to interview Carlee a second time but have not been granted that request. As you can see, there are many questions left to be answered, but only Carlee can provide those answers. What we can say, is that we've been unable to verify most of Carlee's initial statement made to investigators, and we have no reason to believe that there is a threat to the public safety related to this particular case. Thank you very much.
REPORTER - Chief, do you expect any charges against Carlee Russell in connection with the disappearance and anything that was taken from the Woodhouse Spa?
CHIEF - Right now, our focus is to determine those 49 hrs., so the investigation continues. So, to be perfectly honest with you that hasn't even entered our mind or been discussed.
REPORTER - Is it surprising to you that the family has not been cooperative (inaudible) Carlee to be questioned?
CHIEF - Well, I think the fact the family stated to us that they didn't think that in her mental state right now, because of trauma of the incident, that she's not ready to talk, is what we've been told.
REPORTER - You stated that the abductor had orange hair - was this abductor a black male, was it a female, black female, white female?
CHIEF - I believe it's a white male.
REPORTER - Is this alleged abductor on the loose in the Hoover area?
CHIEF - I don't believe so.
REPORTER - Has a toxicology report been done? and were any drugs or illegal substances found in her system?
CHIEF - We have no report of that.
REPORTER - Is there any indication of mental illness in this case?
CHIEF - Not that I'm aware of.
REPORTER - There's been a concern in the community that if this turned out not to be a true story, that the next time a young woman of colour was missing, that it might not be taken seriously. How would you respond to that?
CHIEF - I'd respond to say that - we investigate every crime to the fullest, just like we have this one.
REPORTER - Was she travelling with anyone since the time she disappeared, to your knowledge?
CHIEF - Not to my knowledge.
REPORTER - Chief, I know you said you weren't able to verify a lot of aspects of the story - where do you think she went? and how would you characterise what happened here?
CHIEF - You know, that's the $100 question. You know, we pretty much know exactly what took place from the time she left work, until she got on the 911 call and we can see her getting out of that car on the interstate, from that footage, and after that - I think she only knows, we don't know.
REPORTER - One quick follow-up - her parents; Did you speak with Carlee's parents and why do you think it is they were so adamant that there was an abductor?
CHIEF - Yeah. I think the parents are believing what their daughter's saying and we've had a very good rapport with the parents; met with them on several occasions. I've talked to them today a few times to make them understand that we're under pressure from our community, not only in our community of the state, but nationally when this story hit, and I just wanted them to understand that today we were going to have a press conference and what we were going to detail today are facts and everything that I've told you today is actual facts. It's not innuendos. It's not what I think, it's not what these detectives think, it is the factual information that we have.
REPORTER - How much time do you think you'll give the family before going back to Carlee for a 2nd interview?
CHIEF - Well, I think our detectives have talked to the parents and we're ready to talk as soon as she's ready. So you know, if she called right now, we're ready.
REPORTER - If you had one word to describe what went on - what would that word be?
CHIEF - How about.. unknown. We know the facts that we have, everything else is unknown at this time.
REPORTER - What have the past few days been like for you and your department? This has been a stressful search hasn't it?
CHIEF - Well absolutely, and again, the focus of the investigation, that Thursday, when she went missing, of course, the focus was to get Carlee home. That's what we all wanted, we wanted her safe and sound and that's all happened. And then, of course, this has gotten to be, not only a local state story but a national story. So you know, it is, it's a lot of stress on everyone in the Hoover Police Department, the Mayor, to every citizen here. We want to know the truth.
REPORTER - As you stand here, are you frustrated?
CHIEF - I wouldn't say I'm frustrated. I mean, I'm very happy that Carlee's home, that was the main ingredient here, and then we'll figure it out, I promise you that, we'll end up figuring it out.
REPORTER - Any idea about the number of manpower hours or the expense of the drones and all the rest of the searches that might have cost the city and the state and federal government?
CHIEF - We haven't had time to consider that but, again, these detectives that are here, this is just a small group of people that have been associated with this case. We have put every available resource that we have on this case, because we wanted to make sure that we found out everything, we wanted to get her home and we have.
REPORTER - Chief was there any prior indication of mental health problems?
CHIEF - Not that I'm aware of.
REPORTER - Can you just expand on the people from the state, federal resources brought in - what were they doing exactly as you all were searching for her, can you expand on that?
CHIEF - Yeah, sure. From the FBI side - several agents helping us interview, I mean, as you well know, on a case like this, especially when it goes national, we got hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of calls and when you get those calls, some of them may just be outlandish, but you've got to follow up on them because you never know that you may get that one tidbit and I'd also say too that we had a great cooperation with the family. The family received hundreds and hundreds of tips and every time they got a tip they sent it to us.
REPORTER - Would you say a crime has been committed?
CHIEF - No, we have not determined that, no.
REPORTER - With all of the searches that you mentioned that were on Carlee's phone - does that kind of give you an indication of her mind state during this ordeal in the 48 hrs. that she went missing?
CHIEF - Yes. Well, again, we want to talk in facts and I do think it's highly, highly unusual, the day that someone gets kidnapped, that 7/8 hrs. before that, that they're searching the internet, googling the movie 'Taken' about an abduction. I find that very, very strange. Yes.
REPORTER - Do you feel confident... do your investigators feel confident that you know why Carlee Russell may have done this?
CHIEF - No. We do not know, absolutely not.
REPORTER - Can you explain to us - while Carlee was on the phone to 911 she was travelling the length of 6 football fields, which tells you what?
CHIEF - Which tells me that - I've had kids, and I'm sure a lot of people here have, and it's very very again, she said it, and I'm not saying it couldn't happen, because I've always been one of these guys never say never, but 6 football fields. I like athletics, I like football, 6 football fields - to think that a toddler, barefoot, that could be 3 or 4 yrs. old is going to travel 6 football fields, without getting in the roadway, without crying, without any... just moving down, it's just very hard for me to understand.
REPORTER - Chief, have you used any technology to enchance that video from 4.59? and did you see a man grab her?
CHIEF - From what we can tell, we don't see anybody on the interstate, other than her car and then someone getting out of her driver's side. We have sent that off to the FBI for enhancement, it has not been returned.
REPORTER - Do you think in this case that charges will be forthcoming towards Carlee Russell? and how serious of a crime is it to not only fabricate a 911 call but to lie to law enforcement during an investigation?
CHIEF - Again, that's not something that we've discussed as we're still going through the investigation, but people have to understand that when someone says something like this, we put every available resource, everybody comes together, like I say: state, local federal, it's just a lot of work and the gentleman earlier said frustrated, it's a little frustrating to think that all this has been done and we can't find anything out.
REPORTER - Did anyone see her calling in from the side of the road when she made that 911 call?
CHIEF - Not to my knowledge.
REPORTER - Is this investigation held up until you can speak, once again, to Carlee Russell?
CHIEF - Well, there's a few things that we're still doing, but obviously we want to talk to Carlee as soon as we can and do an in depth interview and at that time, I think we'll have these investigators doing some other things.
So that's all the questions we're gonna answer today. We appreciate you guys coming and we'll be following up with you all later. Thank you so much.
19TH JULY
MAYOR - Thank you and good afternoon for you all coming today. You know, 6 days ago, our community learned about the disappearance of Carlee Russell, and it sent fear and pandemonium, not just through our city, but the entire state and the nation as well. The media quickly joined us to get the word out about Carlee. Our community sprung into action and they organised search parties, arranged prayer vigils and they took other steps that I'm not even aware of, to help in this situation. The Hoover Police Department quickly rallied multiple partner agencies, stopping at nothing, to find Carlee.
I'd like to take this time to say thank you, first to the Hoover Police Department, our partner agencies, our wonderful community and to all those that aided in some way in connection with this situation.
As the days have gone on and more information has been shared, we know everyone has questions. The Hoover Police Department is known for being very methodical and thorough with investigations. For that reason, we did not feel comfortable speaking in detail, publicly, until now. It is important that we share this information, now, so that our community can be put at ease. So at this time, I'll turn the microphone over to Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis.
CHIEF - Thank you everyone for being here today. Beside me, stands a team who played a significant role in this investigation. I want to thank our department, members of surrounding local law enforcement agencies, the FBI, Secret Service, United States Marshals and Alia, for their assistance in this case. We said, from the evening of July 13th., our focus would be the safe return of Carlee Russell. That occurred on Saturday July 15th., approximately 49 hrs. after she called 911 and disappeared. From that point, our focus has been to determine Carlee's whereabouts during that time and what exactly took place.
Let me say up front, this investigation is not over, we're still working this case and we'll be working this case until we uncover every piece of evidence that helps us account for the 49 hrs. that Carlee Russell was missing. However, through the public interest, and in some cases, public fear that this story has generated, we owe it to our citizens to tell them the facts that we have uncovered. So, I will give you the facts that we know today.
On July 13th., at approximately 8:20 pm., Carlee left work from a business at the Summit, surveillance video from her place of employment shows Carlee concealed a dark coloured bathrobe, a roll of toilet paper, and other items belonging to the business, prior to her departure. She ordered food from Taziki’s at the Colonade and travelled there. She then travelled to Target on 280, where she purchased some granola bars and cheeses. From there, she remained in the parking lot, at that shopping centre, until 9:21 pm., when she drove to I-459.
Carlee communicated, on her cell phone, with individuals known to her while in her path of travel, up to the point of calling 911 at 9:34 pm., and at this time, we will play the 911 call in its entirety.
(911 call is played. Full transcript of call from link @arielilane provided here 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 #3)
Carlee called a relative after speaking with the 911 operator. She went missing during that conversation, sometime after 9:36 pm. Traffic camera footage was obtained which depicted this portion of the incident and that footage was analysed as part of the investigation in conjunction with the 911 call and cell phone data to accurately determine the timeframe. Carlee's 911 call remains the only report of a child on the interstate, despite numerous vehicles passing through the area at that time. No one has called a report that a child is missing and the Hoover Police Department did not locate any evidence of a small child walking down the interstate. Data from Carlee's phone, including her Life360 app shows that she travelled approximately 600 yds., in her vehicle, while she was on the phone with 911, stating that she was following a child; 600 yards - that is 6 football fields straight - 600 yards. The Hoover 911 centre received a second call from Carlee's mother stating that a relative was on the phone with her when they heard Carlee scream and then they had an open phone line.
Hoover police officers arrived on the scene within five minutes of being dispatched, and several other officers arrived shortly. They located Carlee's wig and cell phone in the grass, near the vehicle. Her purse was located in the front seat of her vehicle with her Apple Watch in the purse. The food she ordered, from Taziki’s, was also in the car. The items she purchased from Target, as well as the items taken from her place of employment, were not in the vehicle, nor were they located anywhere around the scene.
Hoover police deployed all available assets, from the point in the search for Carlee. Additional resources were called in, to include; our own drone unit, crime scene investigators, numerous detectives responded to the scene. Throughout the day, Friday, officers from surrounding local and federal agencies assisted Hoover police in the search for Carlee Russell. Officers returned to the scene on 459 to conduct a thorough line search for evidence. K-9 teams from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department responded to check for any sign of Carlee, the child that she claimed to see and anything else that could be considered evidence in this case; those searches all turned up empty.
Private citizens, including: search parties, organised by her family, friends, began looking everywhere that they could to find any trace. These searches took place throughout the day Friday and again on Saturday, yielding nothing. At 10:44 pm. on July 15th., the Hoover 911 centre receives a call from Carlee's residence, stating that she returned home, on foot. In subsequent investigations, detectives obtained surveillance footage of Carlee walking down the sidewalk, alone, prior to arrival at her residence. She was conscious and speaking with paramedics when she was transported to UAB. Detectivess were able to obtain a brief statement from her, prior to being treated and released. During this statement, she told detectives, that while travelling down the interstate, she saw a baby walking down the side of the road and called 911. She stated, when she got out of her vehicle to check on the child, a man came out of the trees and mumbled that he was checking on the baby. She claimed that the man then picked her up and she screamed. She stated he then made her go over a fence, she claims he then forced her into a car and the next thing she remembers is being in the trailer of an 18 Wheeler. She stated that the male was with a female, however, she never saw the female, only hearing her voice. She also told detectives she could hear a baby crying. She told detectives the male had orange hair with a big bald spot on the back. She said she was able to escape the 18 Wheeler and fled on foot, only to be captured again and then was put in a car. She claimed she was then blindfolded but was not tied up, because the captor said they did not want to leave impressions on her wrists. She said that they took her into a house and made her get undressed. She believes they took pictures of her but she does not remember them having any physical or sexual contact. She stated, the next day she woke up, and was fed cheese crackers by the female. She said the woman also played with her hair, but could not remember anything else. At some point, she was put back in a vehicle. She claimed she was able to escape while it was in the West Hoover area. She told detectives she ran through lots of woods until she came out near her residence. During this interview, detectives noted that Carlee had a small injury to her lip and she claimed that her head was hurting. She also had a tear in her shirt. Detectives also noted that she had $107 cash in her right sock. Out of respect for Carlee and her family, detectives did not press for additional information in this interview and made plans to speak with her in detail after giving her time to rest.
Detectives continued analysing data from Carlee's cell phone, that was left behind at the scene. We enlisted the help of United States Secret Service in conducting this analysis. Part of that data includes several internet searches, in the days leading up to her disappearance, that I think are very relevant to this case.
- On July 11th., at 7:30 am., the term 'you have to pay for an Amber Alert' was searched.
- On July 13th., at 1:03 am., the day of her disappearance, the term 'how to take money from a register without being caught', was searched.
- On July 13th., at 2:13 am., the day of her disappearance, the term 'Birmingham bus station', was searched.
- On July 13th., at 2:35 am., a search for a one way bus ticket from Birmingham to Nashville was conducted with a departure date of July 13th.
- On July 13th., at 12:10 pm., a search for the movie 'Taken' a film about abduction, was conducted.
There were 2 searches later to Amber Alerts on a computer at Carlee's place of employment, including one regarding the maximum age of an Amber Alert. There were other searches on Carlee's phone that appeared to shed some light on her mindset, but out of respect for her privacy, we will not be releasing the content of those searches at this time.
We've asked to interview Carlee a second time but have not been granted that request. As you can see, there are many questions left to be answered, but only Carlee can provide those answers. What we can say, is that we've been unable to verify most of Carlee's initial statement made to investigators, and we have no reason to believe that there is a threat to the public safety related to this particular case. Thank you very much.
REPORTER - Chief, do you expect any charges against Carlee Russell in connection with the disappearance and anything that was taken from the Woodhouse Spa?
CHIEF - Right now, our focus is to determine those 49 hrs., so the investigation continues. So, to be perfectly honest with you that hasn't even entered our mind or been discussed.
REPORTER - Is it surprising to you that the family has not been cooperative (inaudible) Carlee to be questioned?
CHIEF - Well, I think the fact the family stated to us that they didn't think that in her mental state right now, because of trauma of the incident, that she's not ready to talk, is what we've been told.
REPORTER - You stated that the abductor had orange hair - was this abductor a black male, was it a female, black female, white female?
CHIEF - I believe it's a white male.
REPORTER - Is this alleged abductor on the loose in the Hoover area?
CHIEF - I don't believe so.
REPORTER - Has a toxicology report been done? and were any drugs or illegal substances found in her system?
CHIEF - We have no report of that.
REPORTER - Is there any indication of mental illness in this case?
CHIEF - Not that I'm aware of.
REPORTER - There's been a concern in the community that if this turned out not to be a true story, that the next time a young woman of colour was missing, that it might not be taken seriously. How would you respond to that?
CHIEF - I'd respond to say that - we investigate every crime to the fullest, just like we have this one.
REPORTER - Was she travelling with anyone since the time she disappeared, to your knowledge?
CHIEF - Not to my knowledge.
REPORTER - Chief, I know you said you weren't able to verify a lot of aspects of the story - where do you think she went? and how would you characterise what happened here?
CHIEF - You know, that's the $100 question. You know, we pretty much know exactly what took place from the time she left work, until she got on the 911 call and we can see her getting out of that car on the interstate, from that footage, and after that - I think she only knows, we don't know.
REPORTER - One quick follow-up - her parents; Did you speak with Carlee's parents and why do you think it is they were so adamant that there was an abductor?
CHIEF - Yeah. I think the parents are believing what their daughter's saying and we've had a very good rapport with the parents; met with them on several occasions. I've talked to them today a few times to make them understand that we're under pressure from our community, not only in our community of the state, but nationally when this story hit, and I just wanted them to understand that today we were going to have a press conference and what we were going to detail today are facts and everything that I've told you today is actual facts. It's not innuendos. It's not what I think, it's not what these detectives think, it is the factual information that we have.
REPORTER - How much time do you think you'll give the family before going back to Carlee for a 2nd interview?
CHIEF - Well, I think our detectives have talked to the parents and we're ready to talk as soon as she's ready. So you know, if she called right now, we're ready.
REPORTER - If you had one word to describe what went on - what would that word be?
CHIEF - How about.. unknown. We know the facts that we have, everything else is unknown at this time.
REPORTER - What have the past few days been like for you and your department? This has been a stressful search hasn't it?
CHIEF - Well absolutely, and again, the focus of the investigation, that Thursday, when she went missing, of course, the focus was to get Carlee home. That's what we all wanted, we wanted her safe and sound and that's all happened. And then, of course, this has gotten to be, not only a local state story but a national story. So you know, it is, it's a lot of stress on everyone in the Hoover Police Department, the Mayor, to every citizen here. We want to know the truth.
REPORTER - As you stand here, are you frustrated?
CHIEF - I wouldn't say I'm frustrated. I mean, I'm very happy that Carlee's home, that was the main ingredient here, and then we'll figure it out, I promise you that, we'll end up figuring it out.
REPORTER - Any idea about the number of manpower hours or the expense of the drones and all the rest of the searches that might have cost the city and the state and federal government?
CHIEF - We haven't had time to consider that but, again, these detectives that are here, this is just a small group of people that have been associated with this case. We have put every available resource that we have on this case, because we wanted to make sure that we found out everything, we wanted to get her home and we have.
REPORTER - Chief was there any prior indication of mental health problems?
CHIEF - Not that I'm aware of.
REPORTER - Can you just expand on the people from the state, federal resources brought in - what were they doing exactly as you all were searching for her, can you expand on that?
CHIEF - Yeah, sure. From the FBI side - several agents helping us interview, I mean, as you well know, on a case like this, especially when it goes national, we got hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of calls and when you get those calls, some of them may just be outlandish, but you've got to follow up on them because you never know that you may get that one tidbit and I'd also say too that we had a great cooperation with the family. The family received hundreds and hundreds of tips and every time they got a tip they sent it to us.
REPORTER - Would you say a crime has been committed?
CHIEF - No, we have not determined that, no.
REPORTER - With all of the searches that you mentioned that were on Carlee's phone - does that kind of give you an indication of her mind state during this ordeal in the 48 hrs. that she went missing?
CHIEF - Yes. Well, again, we want to talk in facts and I do think it's highly, highly unusual, the day that someone gets kidnapped, that 7/8 hrs. before that, that they're searching the internet, googling the movie 'Taken' about an abduction. I find that very, very strange. Yes.
REPORTER - Do you feel confident... do your investigators feel confident that you know why Carlee Russell may have done this?
CHIEF - No. We do not know, absolutely not.
REPORTER - Can you explain to us - while Carlee was on the phone to 911 she was travelling the length of 6 football fields, which tells you what?
CHIEF - Which tells me that - I've had kids, and I'm sure a lot of people here have, and it's very very again, she said it, and I'm not saying it couldn't happen, because I've always been one of these guys never say never, but 6 football fields. I like athletics, I like football, 6 football fields - to think that a toddler, barefoot, that could be 3 or 4 yrs. old is going to travel 6 football fields, without getting in the roadway, without crying, without any... just moving down, it's just very hard for me to understand.
REPORTER - Chief, have you used any technology to enchance that video from 4.59? and did you see a man grab her?
CHIEF - From what we can tell, we don't see anybody on the interstate, other than her car and then someone getting out of her driver's side. We have sent that off to the FBI for enhancement, it has not been returned.
REPORTER - Do you think in this case that charges will be forthcoming towards Carlee Russell? and how serious of a crime is it to not only fabricate a 911 call but to lie to law enforcement during an investigation?
CHIEF - Again, that's not something that we've discussed as we're still going through the investigation, but people have to understand that when someone says something like this, we put every available resource, everybody comes together, like I say: state, local federal, it's just a lot of work and the gentleman earlier said frustrated, it's a little frustrating to think that all this has been done and we can't find anything out.
REPORTER - Did anyone see her calling in from the side of the road when she made that 911 call?
CHIEF - Not to my knowledge.
REPORTER - Is this investigation held up until you can speak, once again, to Carlee Russell?
CHIEF - Well, there's a few things that we're still doing, but obviously we want to talk to Carlee as soon as we can and do an in depth interview and at that time, I think we'll have these investigators doing some other things.
So that's all the questions we're gonna answer today. We appreciate you guys coming and we'll be following up with you all later. Thank you so much.
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gitana1
Verified Attorney
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They're going to charge her. She premeditated this. I think it's too late for her to talk her way out of this.
Gardenista
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Haha, I'm actually being lazy because I have soooo many more links and screenshots. I did a deep dive. Reading through her SM is why I think she has MH issues.
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