Alabama authorities announced on Friday that Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell, a 25-year-old nursing student, has been charged with two misdemeanors for falsely claiming that she was kidnapped earlier this month. The charges include falsely reporting to law enforcement and falsely reporting an incident. Both charges are Class A misdemeanors that carry a maximum punishment of one year in jail and a $6,000 fine upon conviction. Russell turned herself in voluntarily and was booked and processed at the Hoover City Jail. She was released on $1,000 bond for each of the charges.

Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis expressed disappointment that only misdemeanor charges could be filed against Russell. He announced his plan to ask state legislators to "add enhancements" to current legislation for people who report false crimes. Derzis also requested the assistance of Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall for further investigation into the case. Marshall stated that his office will continue to monitor if additional charges are warranted.

The incident began on July 13 when Russell called 911 to report a missing toddler on the side of the highway. Two days later, she appeared at her parents' house and claimed she had been abducted by a man with orange hair and a woman. She stated that her abductors took photos of her and fed her cheese crackers. However, investigators grew suspicious of her story as they could not find any evidence of a missing toddler on the highway. They also discovered online searches made by Russell prior to the alleged kidnapping, including searches for “Amber Alerts” and "how to take money from a register without getting caught."

Russell's fabricated story triggered a massive search involving local, state, and federal agencies. The Hoover Police Department expressed frustration that Russell's actions wasted resources, caused panic in the community, and reopened old wounds for families who have experienced real abductions. Chief Derzis emphasized the need for legislation that allows prosecutors to come down harder on those who file false police reports.

After admitting that she was not kidnapped, Russell issued a statement through her attorney, asking for forgiveness from the community, the volunteers who searched for her, and the Hoover Police Department. Police are still unsure of Russell's whereabouts during the approximately 49 hours after her disappearance. They have discovered a timeline of her actions before the disappearance, including strange online searches and surveillance footage showing her leaving work with concealed items.

While the charges against Russell are misdemeanors, authorities are considering additional charges. The case has raised concerns about the impact of false crime reports and the need for stricter consequences for those who make such reports.