Carlee Russell Pleads Guilty, Gets Probation In Kidnapping Hoax

Photo: Hoover Police Department Carlee Russell, the Alabama woman who faked her abduction, has pleaded guilty in the kidnapping hoax. On Thursday (March 21), Russell pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanors, false reporting to law enforcement and falsely reporting an incident, in Jefferson County Court, per NBC News. Russell’s plea came after Hoover Municipal Court Judge Thomas Brad Bishop found her guilty of the charges in October 2023, which sent her case to Jefferson County Court. Bishop recommended Russell spend a maximum of one year in jail and fines. However, Judge David Carpenter told Russell Thursday, “It would be a waste of government resources to put you in jail.” Russell was given a year of probation, and 100 hours of community service and will have to pay $17,000 in restitution. Russell first made headlines in July 2023 after she suddenly disappeared following a 911 call where she reported a child walking alone on the side of the highway. Russell previously claimed she was kidnapped after getting out of her vehicle to check on the child. She returned home on foot two days after her alleged abduction. At the time of her return, Russell’s loved ones said she “was literally...