Carlee Russell, the Alabama woman who went missing for two days and later admitted to faking her own kidnapping, was charged with two misdemeanors on July 28, 2023. She was charged with false reporting to law enforcement authorities and falsely reporting an incident. Both charges carry a maximum sentence of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,000.
Russell turned herself in to police on July 28 and was released on bond the same day. She has not yet entered a plea to the charges.
The charges stem from Russell's disappearance on July 13, 2023. She called 911 to report seeing a toddler walking on the side of an interstate, and then said she was abducted by a man in a black truck. A massive search was launched, but Russell was found safe on July 15, 2023.
Police later said that Russell's story was fabricated, and that she had not seen a toddler or been abducted. They said that she had made a number of "relevant" internet searches in the days leading up to her disappearance, including searches about Amber Alerts, a movie about an abduction, and bus tickets.
Russell's attorney, Emory Anthony, said that his client was "dealing with her issues" and that she was "better" after her disappearance. He said that he expected her to be charged, but that he would "fight for her."
The next hearing in Russell's case is scheduled for August 17, 2023.
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