Lane Tolbert, the chief assistant district attorney at the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Bessemer Division office, disclosed that they had collaborated with the police to determine charges for Russell.
Tolbert explained that both charges were appropriate under the current laws, given the nature of Russell’s false statements.
Carlee’s confession
In a statement provided by her attorney, Emory Anthony, Russell publicly confessed to fabricating the entire kidnapping story.
Derzis told reporters during a press conference on Monday that Carlee acknowledged that there was no kidnapping, no baby on the side of the road and that she had not left the Hoover area during her supposed disappearance. According to the statement, she acted alone.
“My client has given me permission to make the following statement on her behalf. There was no kidnapping on Thursday, July 13th 2023. 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. My client did not have any help in this incident. This was a single act done by herself,” the statement as read by Derzis said.
