The Disappearance of Carlethia Russell – Found Safe

Name: Carlethia “Carlee” Russell
Age: 25 years old
Last seen: July 13, 2023
Location: Hoover, Alabama
Status: Found alive on July 15, 2023

Case Information

25-year-old Carlethia Russell was last seen in Birmingham, Alabama on July 13, 2023. She disappeared while driving home from work, after calling 911 to report that she saw a toddler walking along the interstate.

Background

Carlethia Russell, who goes by Carlee, was born on July 22, 1997 to parents Talitha and Carlos Russell.

Russel was attending Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham where she was studying to become a registered nurse. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Auburn University at Montgomery.

At the time of her disappearance, Russel was living with her parents in Hoover, about ten miles south of Birmingham, Alabama. She worked part-time at The Woodhouse Day Spa at the Summit, a shopping mall in Birmingham.

Disappearance

On July 13, 2023, Carlethia Russell left work from The Woodhouse Day Spa around 8:20 pm. She stopped by Taziki’s, a restaurant on Colonnade Parkway, to pick up food for herself and her mother.

At 9:18 pm, Russell spoke on the phone with her mother before heading back home toward Hoover via Interstate 459.

Around 9:34 pm, Russell called 911 and told dispatch that she saw a toddler walking alone along Interstate 459 South, near mile marker 11 between the Galleria flyover and Exit 10.

Russell subsequently stopped her car to check on the child, who appeared to be 3 or 4-years-old, while on the phone with her brother’s girlfriend to report the same details, around 9:36 pm.

Russell got out of the car and was heard on the phone asking the child if they were OK. There was no response until Russel’s scream was heard followed by background noise from the interstate.

Russell’s vehicle, a red Mercedes, was found abandoned along the interstate with the car door open and the engine running when authorities arrived at the scene.

Some of her belongings were found nearby, including her purse, watch, wig, hat, and cellphone. There were no signs of Carlethia Russell or the child.

Investigation

Authorities say they have not received any reports or calls about a missing child.

Police received a tip from a trucker who witnessed a gray vehicle that pulled in front of Russell’s car at some point as they were passing along Interstate-459. A tall brown skinned man with khaki shorts was reportedly seen leaning over the car.

Carlethia Russell Found Safe

Around 10:45 pm on July 14, 2023, Carlethia Russell returned to the Hoover home she shares with her parents. She was then transported to a hospital for evaluation, according to authorities. No further details have been released at this time.

Appearance

Physical Description:
Black female born on born on July 22, 1997. Carlee has black hair, brown eyes, stands 5′ 4 tall, and weighs 150 – 160 pounds.

Distinctive Physical Features:
Carlee has a scripture tattoo on the back of her shoulder that says “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”

Clothing and accessories:
Carlee was last seen wearing a black shirt, black pants, and white Nike shoes.

Investigating Agency

If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Carlethia Nichole Russell please contact the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency at (205) 444-7562 or (205) 739-7274, or Crimestoppers of Metro Alabama at (205) 254-7777.

Resources & Further Information

Hoover (AL) Police Department – Facebook
Find Carlee Russell – Facebook
Carlee Russell – Facebook

News & Media Links

An Alabama woman is missing after stopping to help a toddler she saw walking on the interstate, police say – CNN 07/2023
Family of 25-year-old woman possibly abducted staying positive – WBRC 07/2023
Search continues for Carlee Russell: Woman vanished in Hoover after reporting child walking on I-459 – AL 07/2023

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