In a court hearing on Thursday, Carlee Russell, a 26-year-old Birmingham woman, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of filing a false police report in connection with her faked kidnapping. The Jefferson County Circuit Judge, David Carpenter, sentenced Russell to 12 months of supervised probation, 100 hours of community service, and ordered her to pay $17,974.88 in restitution to the City of Hoover. Additionally, Russell will continue receiving mental health counseling.

Judge Carpenter emphasized that while the community was outraged by Russell's hoax, it would not be appropriate to treat her differently than any other person charged with misdemeanors. Acknowledging that it would be a waste of resources to send her to jail, the judge opted for probation instead. Russell's statement during the hearing expressed her remorse and apologies to those affected by her actions.

Russell appeared in court accompanied by her attorneys and family members, visibly upset as prosecutors argued for jail time due to the extreme nature of her disappearance and the extensive resources used to find her. However, misdemeanor offenses in Alabama, under similar circumstances, generally do not result in jail sentences.

The lack of criminal penalty for this type of offense has prompted Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis to advocate for an increase in punishment for filing false reports. A bill is currently under consideration in the Alabama Legislature that would elevate the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class C felony when public danger is indicated.

The incident occurred on July 13, 2023, when Russell called 911, claiming to have seen a toddler walking alongside I-459. A subsequent search was launched after police found her car abandoned on the side of the interstate. Russell's phone was also discovered inside the vehicle. She ultimately returned home on foot on July 15 at 10:44 p.m., but her location during the 49-hour period of her disappearance remains unclear.

During the investigation, it was discovered that Russell had searched for information related to Amber Alerts, the movie "Taken," and bus ticket prices from Birmingham on her phone. Her attorney, Emory Anthony, issued a statement admitting to Russell's fabrication of the situation and apologizing to the community, volunteers, law enforcement, and her friends and family.

As Russell turned herself in on July 28 and posted a $2,000 bond, the case garnered national attention and concern. The Hoover Police Department expended significant resources and time on the search, prompting frustration from Chief Derzis over the lack of harsher charges available for such situations.

It is worth noting that WBRC provided daily updates on the search for Russell, with videos and more information available for those interested in the case.

While probation and community service will be the consequences for Russell's actions, this incident has sparked a wider conversation about the need for tougher penalties when false reports create panic, fear, and consume substantial law enforcement resources.