Woman’s Mysterious Disappearance After Reporting Toddler on Highway

Alabama authorities have launched an extensive search for a 25-year-old woman who disappeared after reporting a toddler walking on the side of an interstate. Carlee Russell, described as a kindhearted and sociable individual, made a distress call to a 911 dispatcher around 9:35 p.m. on Thursday, stating that she would pull over to help the child. However, after contacting a family member about the situation, Russell’s whereabouts became unknown. The police discovered her vehicle and personal belongings near the scene, but neither she nor the child could be located.

According to Talitha Russell, Carlee’s mother, her daughter had a busy summer. She worked part-time at a spa in Birmingham and was taking nursing classes at a local college. As the search for Carlee continues, her family urges the public to remain vigilant and share any information that may help locate her. The disappearance has garnered national attention, with authorities following up on numerous tips and leads.

One puzzling aspect of the case is how no other drivers reported seeing the toddler on the busy interstate that night. Chief Nicholas Derzis of the Hoover Police Department acknowledged the unusual nature of this detail and emphasized the need to determine what happened to Carlee. The police have searched nearby wooded areas with tracking dogs but have found no significant evidence. They have also obtained traffic footage, which captured the moment Carlee stopped her vehicle and made the 911 call. However, the grainy nature of the video requires further analysis for clarity.

Carlee had been in the town of Harpersville earlier that day, handling some personal matters. The Harpersville Police Department described her as a polite and driven individual, aspiring to become a nursing student. Her mother, Talitha, expressed her unwavering faith and hope for her daughter’s safe return. She longs to see Carlee’s radiant smile, her expressive eyes, and the comforting Bible verse tattooed on her shoulder: “God is within her, she will not fail.”

As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about Carlee Russell’s disappearance to come forward. The search spans not only Alabama but extends nationwide, with the hope that someone may hold a clue to her whereabouts or what transpired on that fateful night.