Carlee Russell’s 911 Call Leaked
Hoover, Alabama – Doubts arose on Wednesday regarding the account of Carlee Russell, a 25-year-old woman who triggered a frantic search after disappearing for two days following her 911 call to report a toddler wandering on the highway. Russell claimed she had been abducted and forced into a car on Thursday, but police have been unable to substantiate her claims.
After her return home on Saturday, speculations about her whereabouts and the events surrounding her disappearance intensified. In response to the public interest, the Hoover Police Department held a press conference where they played the full 911 call made by Carlee Russell on the night of July 13:
Russell: “Hi. I am on Interstate 459 and there is a kid just walking by themselves.
911: “Hold on…where…where are you?”
Russell: “Um, I’m right next to exit, exit 10…”
911: “Okay, so you’re before the exit?”
Russell: “Yes.
911: “Okay, and are you heading southbound or northbound?”
Russell: “I’m heading towards 280. Towards Tuscaloosa.”
911: “Okay, and was the child on the left or right side?”
Russell: “On the right side.”
911: “And were they walking northbound or southbound?”
Russell: “Uh, they’re walking towards Tuscaloosa.”
911: “Okay, they’re walking southbound…about how old do they look?”
Russell: “Um, like a toddler. Uh, maybe like 3 or 4.”
911: “Did you pull over with them? Are you still with them? Are you with the child right now?”
Russell: “No, I am not. I’m still in the car. I can see them, though.”
911: Do you mind staying there until we can get there?
Russell: “Yeah, yeah, sure, yeah.”
911: “Okay, and what type of car are you in?”
Russell: “I’m in a red Mercedes-Benz.”
911: “Are you in a [car] or an SUV?”
Russell: “SUV. I mean, it’s a sedan, sorry.”
911: “Can you put your hazards on?”
Russell: “Yeah, they’re on.”
911: “Okay, did you talk to the child or did you say anything to them?”
Russell: “No.”
911: “Do they look like they’re injured?”
Russell: “No, they don’t.”
911: “Are they white, Black, Hispanic, or Asian?”
Russell: “They’re white.”
911: “Okay… Is it a male or a female?”
Russell: “I think it’s a boy…a little boy.”
911: “Okay… right now… Is he wearing clothes?”
Russell: “Yes.”
911: “Alright, what is he wearing?”
Russell: “Uh, it’s a white T-shirt, and it looks like he doesn’t have any pants on. Looks like a diaper.”
911: “And you don’t see any cars anywhere?”
Russell: “No, no cars anywhere.”
(Pause)
911: “Okay, what’s your name?”
Russell: “My name is Carlee Russell.”
911: “And you don’t see anyone with the child from where you are at, correct?”
Russell: “No, no, no, but I can’t see them that good.”
911: “Okay, try to keep an eye on him as best as you can because I don’t want you to lose track of him. And does he have shoes on?”
Russell: “No, not that I can see. I really can’t see that…”
911: “Okay, alright. I got them on the way. If you can, just keep an eye on them. An officer’s on the way. Okay?”
Russell: “Okay, thanks.”
911: “Thank you.”
Russell: “Okay, bye.”