Alabama woman Carlethia Russell vanishes after helping toddler on highway

May 2024 · 4 minute read

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An Alabama woman vanished Thursday night after stopping to help a toddler she spotted wandering along a busy highway.

Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell, 25, had already called 911 and was talking with a family member as she pulled off I-459 to check on the child when the line mysteriously went silent — but remained open, according to Hoover police.

When officers arrived just minutes later, they found Russell’s running car, cell phone and purse but no sign of her or the child.

“Hoover police had not received any additional calls of someone missing a small child,” Lt. Daniel Lowe said at a press conference.

The woman’s mother believes someone took advantage of Russell, whose guard was lowered in the moments after calling 911 and felt secure being on the phone with her brother’s girlfriend.

“My son’s girlfriend heard her asking the child, ‘Are you Ok? She never heard the child say anything but then she heard our daughter scream,’’ Talitha Russell told AL.com.

“From there all you hear on her phone is background noise from the interstate.”

Alabama woman, Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell vanished after stopping on a highway to help a wandering toddler. Hoover (AL) Police Department/FaceBook
Russell had already called 911 and was talking with a family member as she pulled off I-459 to check on the child when the line mysteriously went silent. Hoover (AL) Police Department/FaceBook

Russell had just finished her shift at The Woodhouse Day Spa in Birmingham and stopped to pick up food for herself and her mother when she spotted the child, which she estimated to be 3 or 4 years old, Talitha said.

One witness told police they saw a gray vehicle parked near the scene and saw a “light-complexioned male” standing outside Russell’s car, according to Lowe.

She was just a few minutes from the family’s Hoover home when she disappeared.

“Her car door was open, the engine was running, and they found her phone on the ground, along with her wig and her hat,’’ Talitha said. “Her purse was still in the car. Her Apple watch was in her purse and her Air Pods as well.”

One witness told police they saw a gray vehicle parked near the scene and saw a “light-complexioned male” standing outside Russell’s car. Hoover (AL) Police Department/FaceBook

What to know about Carlee Russell's disappearance

Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell, 25, was reported missing on Thursday night after stopping to help a toddler she had spotted wandering along a busy highway.

The nursing student called 911 and was talking with a family member as she pulled off I-459 to check on the child when the line mysteriously went silent — but remained open, according to Hoover police.

When officers arrived just minutes later, they found Russell’s running car, cellphone and purse — but no sign of her or the child.

A witness told police they saw a gray vehicle parked near the scene and saw a “light-complexioned male” standing outside Russell’s car, according to Lowe.

Traffic camera footage from Interstate 459 at mile marker 11.7 is believed to show Russell’s car pulling over before she vanished.

Approximately 48 hours later, Russell reappeared as mysteriously as she had vanished, returning to her home in Hoover, Ala., before 10:45 p.m., the Hoover Police Department confirmed to WBRC

Russell was dropped off at the residence and “appeared to be in shock.” She was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

Her parents believe the toddler whom Russell spotted on the side of the road, who was estimated to be 3 to 4 years old, may have been used as “bait” to lure her out of her car.

Russell’s boyfriend, Thomar Latrell Simmons, claims his girlfriend was kidnapped and is recovering from the traumatic experience.

Hoover police plan to respect Russell’s recovery time before interviewing her.

Police said an anonymous donor offered a $20,000 reward for Russell’s safe return and another $5,000 reward is available through Crime Stoppers.

Investigators are not committing to any theory surrounding Russell’s head-scratching disappearance, including the possibility that someone may have used the child as bait.

“No piece of information is too small in this investigation,” Lowe said.

“We currently are investigating every possibility in this case, we’re certainly leaving nothing off the table.”

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