Photo Credit:Jonathan Franklin
Carlee Russell, the Alabama woman who garnered national attention in 2023 for faking her own kidnapping, shared an update on her journey a year after admitting the hoax. On her 27th birthday, Russell took to Instagram to reflect on her growth over the past year.
"I wasn’t going to make a birthday post but I would be remiss not to publicly acknowledge the goodness God has shown to me," she wrote on July 22. "He not only allowed me to see another year but He changed the trajectory of my life from the negative place I was in this time last year."
Russell had called 911 in July 2023, reporting that she saw an unaccompanied child by the side of the road. She then vanished, only to return home 49 hours later, claiming she had been kidnapped by a woman and a man with orange hair. Her story captivated the nation but ultimately fell apart under police scrutiny, leading to her admission that the kidnapping was a hoax.
Reflecting on the past year, Russell credited her inner circle for helping her navigate the fallout from her scandal. "To those who have been there for me, your kindness and support have meant the world to me," she continued. "Whether it was a text, call, direct message on social media, post, prayer, thoughtful gift, or words of encouragement, nothing was too little and each helped me to fight to live another day. Thank you sincerely for helping me find the light in the darkest of moments.”
She also expressed her commitment to personal growth and self-improvement. "The work is not finished yet," Russell added. "But as I step into this next year of life, I am filled with hope and optimism toward continuing to overcome challenges, cherishing those who cherish me, and embracing the future and God’s plan for my life with an open heart and mind."
Russell's case had caused a significant stir when she returned home, with her initial story raising alarms and prompting a large search effort. However, police were unable to verify her claims, leading to her eventual confession.
"There was no kidnapping on Thursday, July 13, 2023," her lawyer said in a statement. "My client did not see a baby on the side of the road. Myclient did not leave the Hoover area when she was identified as a missing person." The lawyer clarified that the disappearance "was a single actdone by herself" and that Russell was not with anyone during the time she was missing. He added, "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, [and] to her friends and family."
In March 2024, Russell pled guilty to two counts of filing a false police report. She was sentenced to 12 months of probation, ordered to pay nearly $18,000 in restitution, and required to complete 100 hours of community service.
