Source: Hoover Police Department / Hoover PD
*UPDATE: Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell has been found safe and was transported to a local hospital for an evaluation. She showed up at home late last night. No further details have been given as of yet.
Imagine calling the police to report a possible child trafficking incident and then you go missing. Would you want people to help any way they can? Well, that’s how this news story started with 25 year old, Alabama woman, Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell. News reports say she called the Hoover Police Department on Thursday night to report a toddler walking on the I-459 South. After which, she called a family member as she pulled over to check on the toddler. Then, the family member loses contact with her. When Police arrived on the scene, they found Russell’s vehicle and her cell phone, but no sign of her or the child. CNN reports that police have not received any reports or calls for a missing child.
In an effort to get answers, police have offered a reward of up to $25,000 (from an anonymous donor) and a $5,000 reward has been offered by Crime Stoppers. During a press conference on Friday, police shared that this case is open and active. Police describe Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell as a young, black woman, 5 feet, 4 inches tall, between 150-160 pounds and was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, black pants, and white Nike shoes.
If you have any information, please call Detective Brad Fountain at 205-444-7562, Sergeant Drew Mimms at 205-739-7274 or Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama at 205-254-7777.
