Carlee Russell facing misdemeanor charges after lying to law enforcement

Earlier today, Hoover, police detectives obtained warrants for the arrest of Cali Russell to the Hoover Municipal court for her actions related to faking her kidnapping and subsequently making false statements to detectives as they investigated this case. Her decisions that night created panic and alarm for the citizens of our city and even across the nation as the concern grew that *** kidnapper was on the loose using *** small child as bait numerous law enforcement agencies, both local and federal began working tirelessly, not only to bring Carley home to her family, but located kidnapper that we know now never existed. Many private citizens volunteered their time and energy into looking for *** potential kidnapping victim that we know now was never in any danger. The story opened wounds for families who loved ones really were victims of kidnappings, some of which even helped organize searches and hopes they could find Carly's alive so that her family would not experience the pain and suffering that they felt when their loved ones never returned home. As we know actions can have consequences. And that's why we're here today this afternoon, Carty Russell with the assistance of her attorney turned herself into the Hoover City jail where she was arrested for the following charges, false reporting to law enforcement authorities. *** class, *** misdemeanor $1000 bond falsely report an incident, *** class *** misdemeanor with $1000 bond. Each of these charges carry up to *** year in jail and potential fine of $6000 upon conviction. MS Russell was released from jail after posting bond, we initially presented this case to district attorney Leise Washington who agreed to handle prosecution through district court. After consulting with the Circuit Court of Jefferson County Messimer division, the case was referred back to municipal court for charging because the only charges were misdemeanors judging from the amount of phone calls and emails that we've received from people all over the country. I know many are shocked and appalled that Miss Russell is only being charged with two misdemeanors despite all the panic and disruption her actions caused. Let me assure you, I too share the same frustration but existing laws only allow the charges that were filed to be filed. I can tell you that I will be contacting our state legislatures on behalf of law enforcement in Montgomery and asking them to look at this law applied to these facts and urge them to add an enhancement to current legislation when somebody falsely reports kidnapping or another violent crime because of the tension this case has garnered. We've requested that Attorney General Steve Marsh's office adopt this case and they've agreed to do so. The Hoover Police Department wants to thank everyone that assisted us from the beginning and continues to assist us in this case as we work its way through the criminal justice system.