The Hoover Police Department does not believe there is a threat to the public following the strange disappearance of 25-year-old Carlee Russell.
During a press conference Wednesday, Mayor Frank Brocato said the police department did not release details after Russell was found Saturday because they were very methodical in their investigation.
Hoover Police chief Nick Derzis said Russell claims she was abducted after calling 911 and reporting a baby walking alone on Interstate 459.
He said investigators interviewed Russell after she returned home but have not since been able to get a second interview because her family is refusing to allow her to speak at this time.
New information revealed was that Russell took items, including a robe and toilet paper, from her work before the disappearance. She also bought food from Taziki's and snacks from Target.
The police department played the 911 call Russell made. She told the dispatcher the boy she saw was three to four years old and was wearing a white T-shirt and a diaper.
Data from Russell’s phone showed she traveled 600 yards while on the phone near the child. She got off the phone from 911 and called a family member. A few minutes later, Russell’s mother called 911 and reported a family member heard Russell scream and then nothing.
When police arrived on the scene, they found Russell’s vehicle, phone, wig and the Taziki’s food but not the items from work or Target.
No other reports were made about a toddler walking along I-459, but state and federal agencies were involved in the investigation.
After two days of searching, Russell walked home and was taken to the hospital, where she was treated and released. Video from her subdivision shows her walking home.
Police made contact with Russell to try and get more information on what happened. Russell told detectives she was snatched by a man who came out of the woods when she got out of her car to check on the child. She said the next thing she knew, she was in the trailer of an 18-wheeler. She believed the man, a woman and a baby were in the 18-wheeler. She claimed she escaped once but was captured again and taken to a house while blindfolded.
Eventually, she said she escaped after being put in another vehicle. That is when she returned home claiming she had a headache, a small injury to her lip and a rip in her shirt.
Derzis said the information discovered during the investigation is tough to understand.
In her internet search, police found searches for Amber Alerts, how to take money from a register without being caught, bus tickets and the movie “Taken.” Those searches were made days before she disappeared and some were made the day of.
Police do not think the public should be concerned about safety.
“We have no reason to believe there is a threat to public safety related to this case,” Derzis said.
Carlee Russell’s parents, Carlos and Talitha Russell, sat down for an interview with NBC News and did not reveal details but said their daughter fought for her life.
ORIGINAL STORY: Woman missing after reporting toddler walking along I-459 in Hoover
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