Alabama
What We Know About Carlee Russell: Missing Alabama Woman Returned Home After Reporting Lost Child On Interstate
Topline
Carlee Russell—the Alabama woman who vanished after stopping on the highway to help a lost child—returned home Saturday night, ending a mysterious disappearance that launched a two-day statewide search for the 25-year-old nursing student.
Carlee Russell poses in a picture.
Key Facts
Russell returned to her family’s home on foot on Saturday night—local police were called at around 10:45 p.m. and transported her to a nearby hospital, the police department in Hoover, Alabama, said in a statement.
On Thursday night, Russell went missing on I-459 in Hoover—a suburban city of about 92,000 located south of Birmingham—after calling 911 to report a small child in a diaper was lost on the side of the freeway.
Afterwards, she stopped to check on the child and called her brother’s girlfriend, who heard Russell ask the child—without a response—if they were okay, followed by Russell screaming and then the sound of the interstate, according to Russell’s mother.
When officers arrived on the scene, there were no signs of Russell or a child, but they found her running car, wig, phone and purse containing her Apple Watch and Airpods at the scene.
Her return home ended a two-day statewide search that caught national attention, sending social media into a frenzy as people speculated the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
After she was found, Russell’s boyfriend released a statement on Instagram saying she was “fighting for her life for 48 hours” and mentioning a “kidnapper”—police have not confirmed whether they believe a kidnapper was involved.
Big Number
$63,000. That’s about how much reward money was raised by non-profit Crime Stoppers of Central Alabama for anyone with clues into Russell’s disappearance. Following her return, the money is being sent back to donors. Bob Copus, executive director of Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama, told AL.com that Hoover police aren’t “requesting any payouts on this case.”
Key Background
About an hour prior to her disappearance, Russell left work for the day at the Woodhouse Spa where she worked part-time, CBS 42 reports. After leaving work, she stopped to grab some Mediterranean food and left to head home around 9 p.m. Police released the traffic camera footage of Russell pulling over in her red Mercedes to the shoulder with her hazard lights on. Though the footage is blurry, she appears to exit the driver’s side and walk around to the back to the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The police arrived three minutes after Russell disappeared. Hoover police Chief Nick Derzis said Saturday the department reviewed the video and “it’s not the greatest” in terms of quality, but they will continue to look at all footage for clues. Russell reported a lost boy toddler in a diaper to 911, and police say they have received no other call about a missing child as of Sunday.
What To Watch For
It’s unknown where Russell had been after she vanished, and police have yet to release further details surrounding her disappearance. Police said in a release they were able to take an initial statement from Russell and the “details of that statement are a part of the ongoing investigation which is expected to continue over the next few days.” In a statement online, the family asked for privacy and promised to give more details “in the near future.”
Further Reading
Search continues for Carlee Russell: Woman vanished in Hoover after reporting child walking on I-459 (AL.com)
Carlee Russell appeared at home after vanishing while reporting lost child (Forbes)
Officials give timeline leading up to the disappearance of Birmingham woman (CBS 42)
Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Wisconsin LSC Short Course Senior Champion Mazie Paradis has committed to continuing her swimming career at the University of Alabama in the fall of 2025. Paradis is currently a senior at New Glarus High School and trains with the Verona Area Swim Team.
I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Alabama! I first want to thank my family, coaches & teammates for helping me through this process. I also want to thank the amazing coaching staff at Alabama who have given me this opportunity. ROLL TIDE 🐘❤️🤍
Paradis earned her best 200 IM time of 2:02.99 last month at the Speedo Winter Junior Championship West (SCY) in Austin, Texas. At the meet, she qualified for the 2025 Futures Championship in Madison in four events: the 100 back (55.23), 200 back (1:59.46), 100 fly (55.95), and the 200 IM.
Earlier in the year, in March, Paradis secured her SCY 100 fly personal best of 55.71 at the NCSA Spring Championships in Orlando, Florida. She also set a personal best in another SCY event, the 50 breast, with a time of 29.45. She made it to the finals in both events, which were held in LCM.
Paradis was the 2023 Wisconsin LSC Senior Short Course Champion (SCY) in the 100 IM (56.76) and 100 back (54.68), with her 100 back time remaining her personal best. She was also a finalist in the 200 back (1:59.49), finishing 2nd, the 200 IM (2:04.69), earning 3rd, the 100 fly (56.90), placing 5th, and the 50 back (25.83), where she took 6th.
Paradis set her personal best in the SCY 200 back at the 2023 NCSA Spring Championships in March, finishing 20th overall in the finals with a time of 1:59.22. She also reached the finals in the 50 back (26.17), 100 back (54.85), and 200 IM (2:03.92).
In November 2023, at the IA IFLY A3 Midwest Challenge (SCY) in Iowa City, Paradis set a new personal best in the 50 free with a time of 23.37, placing 2nd. She also made it to the finals in the 100 back (55.37), finishing 2nd, the 200 back (2:00.82), also placing 2nd, the 100 fly (55.83), where she finished 3rd, the 200 IM (2:03.69), earning 2nd, and the 400 IM (4:27.68), where she claimed 1st.
Top SCY Times
- 50 Free – 23.37
- 100 Back – 54.68
- 200 Back – 1:59.22
- 100 Fly – 55.71
- 200 IM – 2:02.99
The Alabama women placed 6th out of 12 teams at the SEC Championships last season, down from 4th the previous year. Paradis’s best 200 IM time (2:02.99) could help strengthen the IM group at Alabama. The Crimson Tide’s fastest time last season, 1:58.24, was held by Olympic swimmer Diana Petkova, who competed in the 100 breast and 200 IM at the Tokyo Games, representing Bulgaria. She is currently a graduate student. Paradis is also strong in the 100 back (54.68). The fastest time last season, 52.11, was held by sophomore Ella Menear.
Paradis will join Madyson Hartway, Lili Ratzlaff, Sarah Parker, Isabella Chavez-Varela, and Lolly Milbaum as part of Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class. Chavez-Varela also shows strength in the 200 IM, with a time of 2:00.89.
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Another national title is coming back to Tuscaloosa.
The University of Alabama’s Co-Ed Cheer squad earned first place in the Universal Cheerleader Association’s College Championships on Sunday. It was Alabama’s first Co-Ed Division IA National Championship in 10 years, previously winning the top titles in 2015, 2011 and 1984.
The Tide beat out second-place finishers the University of South Florida and the University of Kentucky in third.
UA’s All-Girl Squad placed second in its division, finishing behind Ole Miss with its first national championship.
Other Alabama winners included Shelton State Community College of Tuscaloosa, earning first place in the Open Co-Ed Division.
The 2025 UCA College Nationals were held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Walt Disney in Orlando.
In anticipation of severe winter weather and snow coming to most of the state, including the Gulf Coast, several school systems in south Alabama have announced changes to their schedule for this week.
Dangerously cold temperatures are expected to settle in tonight over most of the state. A winter storm watch has been issued for south Alabama and lower central Alabama starting Tuesday. Precipitation—snow, sleet, freezing rain, or a wintry mix—will begin in southwest Alabama Tuesday morning and continue through the day, moving eastward.
However, it’s still not clear how much snow can be expected. Transportation will still be hazardous, with forecasters warning that roads could be icy into Wednesday.
See the list of school closings and changes below. Most schools will be closed Monday, Jan. 20, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday.
This list will be updated as more information becomes available.
Mobile County Public Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21
Baldwin County Public Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Washington County Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Escambia County Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Clarke County Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Monroe County Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Conecuh County Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Geneva County Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Choctaw County Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22. Students provided virtual learning information.
Houston County Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Henry County Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Wallace Community College: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Orange Beach City Schools: Virtual learning Tuesday, Jan. 21
Gulf Shores City Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21
Saraland City Schools: Decision to be made by Sunday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m.
Dothan City Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Geneva City Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Mobile (includes lower half of Alabama): Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
UMS-Wright Preparatory School: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21
St. Paul’s Episcopal School: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21
Bayside Academy: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
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