Carlee Russell must pay $50 a month as lawyer says she struggles with restitution in kidnapping hoax
Carlee Russell must pay $50 a month as lawyer says she struggles with restitution in kidnapping hoax
@OCD_bylines 
Carlee Russell, who pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges related to her hoax abduction last year, has been ordered to pay $50 monthly toward her total restitution of $18,000.
Now 27, Russell has been making inconsistent payments and has completed more than the required 100 hours of community service. She is also continuing her counseling sessions.
During a routine case review on Wednesday, Judge David Carpenter set her monthly payments at $50. Russell's attorney, Emory Anthony, noted that her employment has been sporadic since her arrest, impacting her ability to make consistent payments. A follow-up review is scheduled for March.
In March, Russell pleaded guilty to false reporting to law enforcement and false reporting of an incident. During her plea hearing, she expressed regret for her actions, stating, “I made a grave mistake while trying to fight through various emotional issues and stress. I absolutely regret my decision and wish I had sought help differently."
Russell received a sentence of six months in county jail, which was suspended, and she was ordered to pay restitution of nearly $18,000. The Alabama Attorney General's Office argued for jail time, even for misdemeanor charges.
Russell initially went missing on July 13, 2023, after calling 911 to report seeing a small child alone on the interstate. A family member reported hearing a scream before losing contact with her.
Her disappearance prompted a large-scale search, and she returned two days later, claiming she had been abducted. However, police later determined she had left her job under suspicious circumstances, and evidence showed she had made various purchases before calling 911.
Following her return, Russell told police a convoluted story of being abducted, which investigators found to be inconsistent with the evidence. The case has drawn significant public attention, and Russell's ongoing legal proceedings are set for further review in the coming months.
