Alabama Judge Finds Carlee Russell Guilty in Kidnapping Hoax, Charges $18K in Restitution

Alabama Judge Thomas Brad Bishop found 26-year-old Carlee Russell guilty in a kidnapping hoax and ordered her to pay $18,000 in restitution.

The Black woman was found guilty of two misdemeanor charges after supposedly faking her abduction in July. The order was handed out on Wednesday and notes that Russell was guilty of false reporting of an incident and false reporting to law enforcement, both misdemeanors.

Carlee Russell's Kidnapping Hoax

The state recommended one year in jail for the defendant, which is the maximum, and is brought by six months for each charge she is found guilty of. Additionally, officials recommended a fine of $831 and restitution of $17,974.88.

The 24-year-old reportedly dialed 911 on July 13 at around 9:34 p.m. to report that a toddler was walking along the southbound side of Interstate 549 near Birmingham. Russell is said to have returned home on July 15 at around 10:45 p.m. near where police officials said that she was seen walking along the sidewalk beforehand, as per Fox News.

Russell made a statement through her attorney, Emory Anthony, saying she admitted to never seeing a baby on Interstate 459. Anthony said that the 26-year-old did not have any help in the incident, noting that it was a single act done by herself alone.

The attorney noted that the defendant was not with anyone or any hotel with anyone from the time that she was missing. Russell also apologized for her actions to the community, the volunteers searching for her, the Hoover Police Department, other agencies, and her friends and family.

Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis said during a press conference when charges were filed against Russell that officials still did not know the woman's whereabouts during the 49 hours she was missing.

Ordered To Pay $18K in Restitution

Russell can be found guilty in municipal court in Alabama without presenting a defense to a jury. However, according to USA Today, an appeal sends her case to circuit court where she is given the right to a trial by jury, said the spokesperson for the Alabama Attorney General's office, Amanda Priest.

The Wednesday decision does not influence a trial in circuit court, and if the defendant is found guilty there, there will be a new sentencing, said Priest. Anthony noted that a hearing in the higher court is the best way to pursue justice for his client. He added that it was the option they had to take because they disagreed with the defendant serving any time in jail.

Anthony argued that generally, defendants are not given jail time for a Class A misdemeanor, saying that if there was ever any instance of such happening, he would want to look at it. On the other hand, he said that they did not disagree with the order to pay restitution.

The attorney added that Russell was nervous on Wednesday as she stood before Judge Bishop. He added that they wanted to avoid the defendant having a breakdown, so they handled her with "kid gloves" and ensured that her mental state was okay, said Advance Local.