Carlee Russell: Woman stops for toddler along Alabama interstate, vanishes without a trace
HOOVER, Ala. - A 25-year-old woman who called 911 to report a toddler wandering along the side of a busy Alabama highway ended up vanishing along with any signs of a child on Thursday evening, just south of Birmingham.
Carlethia "Carlee" Nichole Russell made that call to 911 just after 9:30 p.m. reporting the toddler along Interstate 459 South near Mile Market 11 in Hoover, Alabama. Russell also called a family member to report her find as she stopped to try to help the young child.
"She got out of the car. My daughter-in-law could hear her ask if the child was OK, and she didn't hear anything," Carlee's mother Talitha Russell said. "Then she heard our daughter Carlee scream."
That family member told police she lost contact with Russell, but the line was left open. That cellphone was later found at the scene, police say. It is now undergoing a forensic examination to see if there were any clues on her whereabouts.
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Hoover Police say officers were able to find Russell’s vehicle and some of her belongings, including a hat and her wig, but neither the child nor Russell were around.
Investigators say no children had been reported missing in the area.
A witness reported seeing a man standing beside Russell’s vehicle just before police arrived at the scene.
"A single witness has reported possibly seeing a gray vehicle with a light-complexioned male standing outside Carlee's vehicle," Hoover Police Lt. Daniel Lowe said at a press conference.
Investigators believe Russell got off work around 8:20 p.m. from a business at The Summit in Birmingham, picked up food and then drove towards Hoover.
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Russell is described as being 5-feet-4-inches tall and weighing about 150 to 160 pounds. She was last seen wearing a black shirt, black pants, and black tennis shoes.
Her parents are desperately hoping someone knows where their child is.
"If anyone sees anything, no matter how minute, please contact 911," Carlee's father Carlos Russell said.
Vigil held for missing Alabama woman
It's been more than 24 hours since 25-year-old Carlee Russell of Hoover, Alabama was last seen. Authorities say she may have been abducted from the side of Interstate 459 near Mile Marker 11. Friday night, neighbors held a vigil. They hope and pray she'll be found.
A private donor has come forward to offer a $25,000 reward, in addition to the $5,000 being offered by Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama.
Anyone with information is asked to call 205-254-7777. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
This story is being reported out of Atlanta.