Carlee Russell, Woman Who Faked Her Own Kidnapping Avoids Jail Time

ALABAMA – A woman who faked her own kidnapping after claiming she stopped her car on a highway to save a baby entered a plea in court Thursday.

Carlee Russell pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of false reporting to law enforcement and falsely reporting an incident.

She was given a suspended six-month sentence which means she will be avoiding jail time, but she was ordered to pay more than $17,000 in restitution.

Russell’s story of being kidnapped, as she vanished for two days captivated the nation and headlines.

Russell disappeared on July 13, 2023, after calling 911 to report a toddler on an interstate. When police arrived at the scene, there was no toddler and she had vanished, prompting a search for both, but it was discovered that her story was fake.

It’s still unknown where she was for the days that she vanished before appearing at her families house.