A search is underway in the Birmingham area for a missing woman with Alexander City connections.
Carlee Russell, 25, called police Thursday night in Hoover reporting a child walking alone along Interstate 459. Russell said she was near the Galleria. After speaking with dispatch, Russell checked on the child and called a family member. She has family in Alexander City.
“The family member lost contact with her, but the line remained open,” Hoover police Lt. Daniel Lowe said in a press conference.
Police were already en route. When officers arrived, they found Russell’s car but no sign of her or the toddler she told dispatch about.
Lowe said Friday the Hoover Police Department has not received any calls about a missing child.
“We currently are investigating every possibility,’’ Lowe said. “We’re certainly leaving nothing off the table.”
Numerous tips have been reported and assigned to an investigator. Law enforcement is not committing to any one theory in Russell’s disappearance.
“Everything we have at the Hoover Police Department, in addition to our partners, is involved in this investigation right now,” Lowe said.
A $20,000 reward for the safe return of Russell has been offered by an anonymous donor.. CrimeStoppers has offered $5,000 making $25,000 available for Russell’s return.
The search began Thursday night and has continued into Friday.
Russell’s parents, Talitha and Carlos Russell, have been searching since Thursday night for their daughter. They have taken to social media seeking help in searches and for anyone with information about their daughter’s whereabouts.
Those with information are asked to contact Det. Brad Fountain at 205-444-7562, Sgt. Drew Mims at 205-739-7274 or CrimeStoppers of Metro Alabama at 205-254-7777.
