Police release the 911 call, Carlee Russell
On Wednesday, Alabama police questioned the account of a lady who allegedly sparked a frantic search when she vanished for two days after calling 911 to report a toddler straying onto the roadway. Carlee Russell claimed to have been kidnapped and put into a car on Thursday, but police said they were unable to corroborate her story.
After the 25-year-old returned home on Saturday, there was a great deal of curiosity about where she had gone and what had transpired.
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The Hoover Police Department conducted a press conference on Wednesday. They aired the entire 911 call during it.The following is a transcript of the exchange Russell had on the evening of July 13 with a 911 operator: Richard: “Hello. On Interstate 459, I can see a young child wandering by themself. Caller to 911: “Hold on, where are you?” I’m right close to exit 10, Russell says. Okay, so you’re in front of the exit, says 911. No, Russell. Are you travelling north or south, 911 operator? Russell: “I’m approaching 280. towards Tuscaloosa. “Okay, and was the child on the left or right side?” the 911 operator said. By Russell: “On the right side.” And were they moving north or south when you called 911? “They’re walking towards Tuscaloosa,” said Russell. They’re walking southbound, so call 911.How old do they appear to be?
Russell: “Like a toddler, kind of. Oh, maybe three or four.”
Did you stop along with them? Do you remain with them? Are you now with the child?
No, Russell, I’m not. I’m still driving. Though, I can see them.
When we arrive, would you mind staying there?
Russell: “Yeah, sure, sure, yeah.”
What kind of vehicle are you in, 911?
Russell says, “I’m driving a red Mercedes-Benz.”
Caller to 911: “Are you in a [car] or an SUV?”
Richard: “SUV. Sorry, but it’s a sedan.
“Can you put your hazards on?” the 911 operator asks.
“Yeah, they’re on,” said Russell.
Do you remember speaking to the youngster or saying anything to them?
Russell says “No.”
Calling 911: “Do they appear to be hurt?”
Russel: “No, they don’t.”
Caller: “Are they white, black, hispanic, or Asian?”
It’s Russell who says, “They’re white.”
911: “Okay… Is it a woman or a man?
Russell: “I believe it to be a boy—a young boy.”
911: “Okay, now… Does he have on any clothes?
Russell says, “Yes.”
Caller to 911: “Okay, what is he wearing?”
He appears to be wearing only a white T-shirt and no trousers, says Russell. It appears to be a nappy.
Dispatcher: “And you don’t see any cars anywhere?”
Russell: “No, there aren’t any cars anywhere.”
(Pause)
“Okay, what’s your name?” asked 911.
Russell: “Carlee Russell here.
911: “And from where you are at, you don’t see anyone with the child, correct?”
“No, no, no,” said Russell, “but I can’t see them that well.”
911: “Okay, try your best to keep an eye on him; I don’t want you to lose sight of him. Does he wear shoes, too?
No, not that I can see, Russell. I genuinely don’t see that.
911: “All right, fine. They are with me now. Just keep an eye on them if you can. An officer is en route. Okay?”
Russell says, “Okay, thanks.”
When calling 911, say “Thank you.”
