The parents of Carlee Russell, the 25-year-old Alabama woman who was reported missing for over 48 hours following a distress call to 911, have come forward to share their thoughts publicly for the first time.
In an interview conducted by NBC’s Priscilla Thompson, Talitha Robinson-Russell and Carlos Russell, Carlee’s mother and father, opened up about the incredible moment when their daughter finally returned home after being abducted. Talitha expressed her overwhelming joy upon seeing her daughter safe and sound, stating that she felt
In an interview conducted by NBC’s Priscilla Thompson, Talitha Robinson-Russell and Carlos Russell, Carlee’s mother and father, opened up about the incredible moment when their daughter finally returned home after being abducted. Talitha expressed her overwhelming joy upon seeing her daughter safe and sound, stating that she felt “just so much joy.”
She continued, “We tried to hug her as best we could, but I had to stand back because she was not in a good state. We had to stand back and let medical professionals work with her.”
On the evening of July 13th, Carlee was first reported missing while she was en route to her home. According to authorities, the nursing student placed a call to 911 to report an unaccompanied child walking alongside Interstate 459 South. Concerned for the child’s safety, Carlee pulled over to ensure their well-being. After speaking with emergency services, she contacted a family member to inform them about the situation. The family member recalls hearing Carlee engaging in conversation with the child before a sudden scream followed by an unsettling silence.
Upon the arrival at the location, the officers discovered Carlee’s wig, cellphone, and purse discarded on the road near her vehicle. However, there was no trace of Carlee or the child she had reported. Soon after, a local search for the missing young woman commenced, garnering significant attention on social media. Numerous individuals surmised that Carlee had been abducted, potentially falling victim to human trafficking, as it seemed she had been enticed by the pretense of a distressed child in need of help.
During the evening of July 15, the police received a call notifying them that Carlee had made it back home. Law enforcement promptly responded, and Carlee was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation before being discharged later.
Now, Carlee’s parents have chosen to share their ordeal of anguish during their daughter’s disappearance. Talitha Robinson-Russell, Carlee’s mother, reveals that they received numerous texts and calls from individuals who deceitfully claimed to possess knowledge of their daughter’s whereabouts while she was missing, causing them immense distress.
Talitha states, “I didn’t know people could be so evil.” and goes on to say, “She’s having to deal with the trauma of people just making completely false allegations about her.”
Carlee’s mother read a brief statement during the interview, saying, “Carlee has given detectives her statement so that they can continue to pursue her abductor.” And went on to say that her daughter fought for her life both physically and mentally. “She found her way back to us. However, we can’t discuss the details of that. She definitely fought for her life. There were moments when she physically had to fight for her life. And there were moments when she had to mentally fight for her life.”
The investigation is still ongoing.
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Fharnell M.
