Alabama police ‘pretty much’ knew Carlee Russell abduction was lie from start – live

Before Carlee Russell admitted to an elaborate hoax, a mother said she ‘disrespected’ parents of murdered victims

A mother in Alabama whose daughter was murdered has spoken out against Carlee Russell, saying her fake kidnapping story was “disrespectful” to parents who have lost a child.

Shea Wardrup Pilkington-Wiley posted on Facebook last Wednesday describing how Ms Russell’s case brought back the same “sickening feelings” she felt when her daughter, Madison Pilkington, was murdered.

The Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama will be refunding the $63,378 that was donated during the search for 25-year-old Carlee Russell.

“We are releasing all funds,’’ Bob Copus, executive director of Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama, told AL.com on Tuesday. “We’re basing that on the statements made at the news conference.”

More than $60k was donated in the 49 hours that Ms Russell went ‘missing’ at the beginning of July.

Police and Ms Russell’s attorney revealed on Monday that Ms Russell faked her disappearance and lied about being kidnapped.

Carlee Nichole Russell gained national notoriety this month after she falsely claimed she was abducted on 13 July after calling 911 to report she had seen a toddler walking on the side of Interstate 459 in Alabama.

The 25-year-old stopped her car to check on the child and called a family member before losing contact, she initially told the Hoover Police Department. By the time officers arrived five minutes later, Ms Russell had faked a disappearance, with her car engine still running, and the toddler was nowhere to be found.

When Ms Russell returned on 15 July, she gave a statement to police where she outlined a tale of a horrific kidnapping, which her lawyer now says was false.

Ms Russell initially said after she came across a young boy walking along the side of the highway alone she pulled over and called 911. After that, she called her brother’s girlfriend. During the conversation, she claimed a man with “orange hair” emerged from the woods and picked her up and forced her into a vehicle.

She claims the toddler was used as bait.

Ms Russell said the man then put her into the trailer of a tractor-trailer and drove her to an unknown location where he forced her to undress and took photos of her. She said the man had a female accomplice who fed her cheese crackers.

Eventually, her story went, the kidnappers put Ms Russell in another vehicle, which Ms Russell escaped from and ran home.

Police have been unable to verify nearly all of Ms Russell’s claims.

Police in Hoover, Alabama say they have confirmed their suspicions that Carlee Russell made false claims that she was kidnapped after pulling off to the side of the road while reporting a toddler was walking alone.

Hoover Police Department Chief Nicholas Derzis said on Monday Ms Russell has admitted to lying about her supposed abduction in a statement she provided through her attorney.

“There was no kidnapping on Thursday, July 13. My client did not see a baby on the side of the road,” the statement read, according to Chief Derzis, who read it at a news conference. “My client apologizes for her actions to this community, the volunteers who were searching for her, to the Hoover Police Department and other agencies as well, as to her friends and family.”

The bizarre scandal has led to questions about whether the Alabama woman may face charges.

Carlee Russell’s mother has fallen silent after her daughter admitted she faked her own abduction.

On Tuesday, Ms Russell released a statement through her lawyer where she confessed that her kidnapping was all a lie.

During the two days she was missing, her mother Talitha Robinson-Russell pleaded for her safe return.

In the wake of her reemergence, she defended her daughter amid rumours that her abduction wasn’t all it seemed.

“There were moments when she physically had to fight for her life, and there were moments when she had to mentally fight for her life,” she told NBC’s Today show last week.

But, on Monday, after Ms Russell’s deception was confirmed, Ms Robinson-Russell refused to comment.

“Now is not a good time,” she told The New York Times.

Carlee Russell’s former boyfriend has said that he is “disgusted” with her after she finally confessed to faking her own abduction.

Thomar Simmons posted a statement on Instagram on Monday night where he slammed his 25-year-old former girlfriend and said that he – like the wider public – had been “blindsided” by her lies.

“Carlee’s actions created hurt, confusion and dishonesty,” he wrote.

“I was made aware of the false narrative after coming to the defense of my ex Carlee Russell. Myself and my family’ nature was to react in love and genuine concern. We are disgusted [by] the outcome of this entire situation.”

He added: “I strongly feel exactly like you all – blindsided with Carlee’s actions.”

7.30am: Ms Russell searches for “Do you have to pay for an Amber Alert”.

1.03am: Ms Russell searches for, “How to take money from register without being caught Reddit”.

2.13am: Ms Russell searches for, “Birmingham bus station”.

2.35am: Ms Russell searches for, “One-way bus ticket from Birmingham to Nashville” departing 13 July.

12:10pm: Ms Russell searches for the film “Taken”.

Ms Russell also searched for more information about Amber Alerts while at her workplace including one about the maximum age for an Amber Alert to be issued.

8.20pm: Ms Russell leaves her workplace, Woodhouse Spa. She is seen concealing a dark bathrobe, toilet paper and other items.

She then picks up dinner from a local restaurant and drives to Target where she purchases snacks.

9.21pm: Ms Russel leaves the shopping center parking lot and begins driving down the interstate.

9.34pm: Ms Russell calls 911 and reports a toddler walking along Interstate 459 alone and without pant or shoes.

Data shows Ms Russell drove 600 yards while on the phone with police, claiming she pulled over to assist the child.

After the 911 call, Ms Russell called her brother’s girlfriend.

9.36pm: Ms Russell goes missing.

9.40pm: Police arrive on scene.

7am: Russell family begins searching for Ms Russell

Searches continue all day and night until the following evening.

10.45pm: Ms Russell returns home on foot. Surveillance footage shows her walking on the sidewalk alone.

Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis made it clear in his press conference last Wednesday that there was something suspicious about Carlee Russell’s kidnapping story.

“The fact that I think last Wednesday pretty much showed that we knew that it was a hoax,” Mr Derzis told local news outlet WVTM 13.

Mr Derzis told reporters that authorities were “unable to verify” many of Ms Russell’s claims and shed some light on her mental state before her disappearance by sharing relevant internet searches.

Ms Russell, through her attorney, admitted that she lied about the kidnapping on Monday.

“It is what it is,” Mr Derzis added.