Carlee Russell is free on $2,000 bond, after being charged Friday with two misdeamanors for the abduction hoax in Hoover. Russell arrived at Hoover police headquarters accompanied by her parents, and was charged with false reporting to law enforcement authorities and falsely reporting an incident.
Russell, 26, claimed she was abducted from the side of I-459 after calling 911 to report a baby wandering on the side of the interstate. She later admitted the story was false.
"Her decisions that night created panic and alarm for the citizens of our city, and even across the nation, as the concern grew that a kidnapper was on the loose, using a small child as bait," Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis said. Derzis said the department had received many calls and emails from all over the country. "I know many are shocked and appalled that Miss Russell is only being charged with two misdemeanors, despite all the panic and disruption her actions caused. Derzis said he shares the frustration, but added police were limited by existing state laws. Derzis said he will be contacting state lawmakers, urging them to increase the penalties when somebody falsely reports a violent crime.