Carlee Russell has entered a guilty plea in her kidnapping hoax case.
The Alabama native had the police searching for her after she mysteriously disappeared. According to the police report, Russell called 911 saying that she saw a toddler in a diaper walking by himself on the side of the interstate.
When the police arrived, they found Russell’s car abandoned with her belongings inside of it. The internet began to share her picture and story to find her, however, Russell’s story began to draw suspicions.
After reappearing days later, she told the police that she had been kidnapped by a man with orange hair and a girl who she said used the toddler as bait. It was later revealed by Russell’s attorney that the whole thing was a hoax.
Russell waived her right to a trial and entered a “blind plea to false reporting to law enforcement authorities and falsely reporting an incident.” She gave her first statement in court and said, “I want to specifically acknowledge and take accountability for the pain and embarrassment that I inflicted upon my family, my church family, friends, neighbors, community, and all of those who were directly involved in search efforts for me.”
Carlee Russell is due back in court in October to see how much more money she has to pay in restitution.