The attorney representing Carlee Russell, who admitted this week that her claim that she was kidnapped was a hoax, reportedly told local media that he expects her to be criminally charged in the case.
The 25-year-old nursing student had claimed that she was kidnapped while checking on a toddler on the side of the road in Alabama earlier this month. Her disappearance lasted for 49 hours.
Attorney Emory Anthony met with Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis on Tuesday and reportedly told journalists afterward that he expects Russell to be charged in the case.
“It’s a great meeting, a short meeting just to try to identify some things about where we go from here. There’s responsibilities that we need to take care of,” he said. “But it was a great meeting. And I want to commend the Hoover Police Department and the chief of police for their action and how they handled everything, so, hopefully we can get the to the end game as they say of this particular thing.”
In the last few days, Russell lost her job, and her boyfriend Thomar Simmons broke up with her after initially defending her.
“Carlee’s actions created hurt, confusion, and dishonesty,” Simmons said in a statement. “I was made aware of the false narrative after coming to the defense of my ex Carlee Russell. Myself and my family’s nature was to react in love, and genuine concern. We are disgusted from the outcome of this entire situation. I strongly feel exactly like you all… blindsided with Carlee’s actions.”
During the Hoover Police Department’s last press conference, Derzis said that law enforcement still did not know where Russell was during the 49 hours that she was reported missing, and they did not know her motivation for fabricating the story. He said that law enforcement “pretty much” knew that it was a hoax for the last week.
When asked if the parents were under investigation, Derzis said that “anything’s on the table” because investigators still do not know where she was or if she had any help.
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“This was an elaborate deal,” he said. “I mean, when you talk about calling a 911, and being up on the interstate.”
Derzis said that the statement from Russell will not alter the course of law enforcement’s on-going investigation.