From The Tribune staff reports
HOOVER – According to the Hoover Police Department, the Hoover 911 center received a call on Saturday, July 15, at 10:45 p.m., that Carlee Russell had returned home to her residence. Hoover Police and Fire responded to the scene to evaluate Russell and transported her to a local hospital for further evaluation. More details will be provided when they become available.
PREVIOUSLY: A 25-year-old woman from Hoover went missing Thursday night after calling 911 to report a child walking on the side of the interstate. Hoover Police and Alabama officials are seeking information and assistance from the public in their efforts to locate Carlethia “Carlee” Russell.
(Hoover Police Department)
According to WBRC FOX6 News, Russell’s family has stated that the reward for her safe return is now up to $60,000, which includes a commitment of $25,000 from the Keller Williams family, $5,000 from CrimeStoppers and $20,000 from an anonymous donor. The family is requesting that all donations be made to CrimeStoppers.
According to the Hoover Police Department, on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at approximately 9:34 p.m., “the Hoover 911 Center received a call from a 25-year-old female on I-459 South near mile marker 11 who reported she saw a toddler walking on the side of the interstate. After calling 911 the caller stopped to check on the child and called a family member to report the same details. The family member lost contact with her, but the line remained open. Officers who were already en route to the location of the initial 911 call located the female’s vehicle and some of her belongings nearby, but were unable to find her or a child in the area. Hoover Police have not received any other calls of someone missing a small child.”
HPD detectives describe Russell as “a 25-year-old black female who is 5’4, 150-160 lbs. She was last seen wearing a black shirt, black pants and white Nike shoes.”
During a news conference on Friday with Hoover Police Lt. Daniel Lowe, it was stated that a witness reported seeing a man and a gray vehicle near the area where Russell reported seeing the toddler.
(Hoover Police Department)
“Carlee got off work last night at around 8:20 PM from a business at The Summit in Birmingham and is believed to have stopped to pick up food from a business at The Colonnade before traveling toward Hoover on I-459 where she stopped near mile marker 11 between the Galleria flyover and Exit 10 for Highway 150,” HPD stated. “A single witness reported possibly seeing a gray vehicle with a light complected male standing outside of Carlee’s vehicle. We have no further information about that individual or vehicle at this time.”
Officials are urging anyone with information that may lead to Russell’s safe return to immediately contact detectives at the Hoover Police Department.
“No piece of information is too small in this investigation,” HPD stated. “If you have any information please contact Detective Brad Fountain at 205-444-7562, Sergeant Drew Mims at 205-739-7274, or Crimestoppers of Metro Alabama at 205-254-7777 if you wish to remain anonymous.”
The Hoover Police Department is partnering with local, state and federal partners in this investigation.
“We are grateful for the outpouring of support from the local and law enforcement community,” HPD stated. “We will continue to provide periodic updates as we have them and will utilize our Twitter account, @HooverPD, to relay any immediate information to the public. We would also ask our community to keep the Russell family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
