On July 13, Russell disappeared after calling 911 to report a toddler on the side of the road. Neither she nor a child were found when police showed at the scene and, following an extensive search, Russell showed up at her home two days later.
Though she initially claimed that a man abducted her at the scene, authorities were not able to verify her claims and found that she had Googled terms related to abduction before she disappeared.
At a press conference on July 24, however, her attorney provided a statement on Russell’s behalf to Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis to clarify her story.
“There was no kidnapping on Thursday, July 13, 2023,” Anthony said. “My client did not see a baby on the side of the road. My client did not leave the Hoover area when she was identified as a missing person.”
“This was a single act done by herself,” the lawyer’s statement continued. “My client was not with anyone or any hotel with anyone from the time she was missing. 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.”