Despite Alabama woman Carlee Russell vanishing, then reappearing two days after reporting a sighting of a wandering toddler, over $63,000 donated to Crime Stoppers in the search for her will not be refunded, according to reports.
Al.com reports that initially, Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama had promised to return the $63,378, but later backtracked and reversed its decision.
“This investigation is still ongoing, and accordingly, there is no basis to refund any contributions at this time. Furthermore, the Hoover Police Department has not requested for any donor contributions to be released or refunded,” Crime Stoppers said on Monday.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Russell called 911 earlier this month at around 9:30 p.m. to report seeing a toddler walking along Interstate 459 in Hoover. Minutes later, she reported the same information while on a call with her sister-in-law, adding that she would stop to see if she could help.
Traffic camera footage showed Russell’s car, hazard lights blinking, slow to a stop near mile marker 11. The family member reported hearing Russell ask, “Are you OK,” but heard no response, and then Russell screamed.
Days later, at around 10:45 p.m., Russell arrived at her parents’ house in Hoover.
Police have no evidence of a toddler walking along the highway. No other calls to 911 reported a toddler, “despite numerous vehicles passing through that area as depicted by the traffic camera surveillance video.”
Police said Russell claimed she was kidnapped and forced into an 18-wheeler by a man with orange hair, and a woman. She claimed she fled on foot, only to be captured again, blindfolded, and put into a car.
Birmingham police conducted a rigorous investigation, while volunteers helped search for days. Donation and reward money poured in while Crime Stoppers offered its standard $5,000.
Just hours before the decision to keep the funds, Bob Copus, executive director of Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama, reportedly said that some of the funds have already been returned, following Russell returning home.
While an anonymous donor gave $20,000 to the reward fund, the Birmingham Board of Realtors offered $25,000. According to Al.com, those funds were returned, Copus said.
An additional $13,378.58 was given by around 60 donors. Crime Stoppers initially said it was emailing the donors and letting them know that a refund is possible, if they want one.
“We would never use a crime as a fundraiser,’’ Copus said. “This is strictly for the benefit of getting law enforcement the best information as quickly as possible. And also, it allows the public to get involved because they want to get involved.”
“We had donations as large as $25,000 and as small has $5. But every dollar counted because it came from somebody who wanted to see Carlee come.”
So far, police have not charged Russell with any crime, although former criminal defense lawyer Eric Guster said the search for Russell consumed the time and money of both law enforcement and concerned community members.
He also listed the crimes she allegedly committed, including lying to police, theft, and filing a false report.
Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Listen to the latest episode:
[Feature Photo via Hoover PD]
