A search is currently underway for a 25-year-old woman who went missing Thursday night. Authorities said the woman identified as Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell called 911 from a highway in Alabama, Hoover to report that she had seen a toddler walking along the side of the interstate.
911 emergency dispatchers were called just after 9:30 p.m. local time Thursday and informed law the Hoover Police Department about what was going on. Russell, who is a nursing student, was going home from work after grabbing something to eat when she noticed the strange sighting of a wondering child. She called 911 and even stopped to check on the young kid and told the 911 operator that she had seen the child walking on the side of Interstate 459. Following her call, Russell immediately called a family member.
Hoover Police Lt. Daniel Lowe said during a news conference Friday that during the 911 call, the family member “lost contact with” Russell, “but the line remained open.” Officers found Russell’s abandoned car along with some of her belongings nearby including her cell phone. At the time there was no sign of her or the child.
Lowe said in a statement, “We’re currently analyzing that phone to see if there’s any information on there that could help us.”
While speaking with reporters, Talitha Russell, Carlee’s mother said she last recalled her daughter being on the phone with her sister-in-law at the time that and her voice suddenly dropped out.
“She’s known to be helpful and she has a big heart,” Talitha Russell said of her daughter. “And she does know not to stop for anyone, even a child on the side of the road. But she did call 911. And I think she kind of let her guard down thinking they were so close. And when she got out of the car, she did tell my daughter-in-law, ‘I can’t just leave this little child on the side of the road.'”
“We’re going to be looking in every direction,” Carlee’s father, Carlos Russell, added. “We’re just going to scour the earth.”
On Saturday, Hoover police released a new photo of Russell to help get more leads to locate her. Police said they have not received any calls regarding a missing child yet. Russell is described as being 5-foot-4 inches tall and between 150 to 160 pounds. She was last seen wearing a black shirt, black pants, and white Nike shoes.
A reward totaling at least $50,000 has also been offered for her safe return. It includes $20,000 from an anonymous source, $5,000 raised by CrimeStoppers of Metro Alabama, and $25,000 from real estate company Keller Williams, CBS Birmingham affiliate WIAT reports.
We will continue to keep you updated when more details have been shared.