16 July 2023 , 11:48
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A missing 25-year-old uni student who disappeared after calling police to say she'd spotted a toddler wandering alone along an Alabama interstate highway has been found ALIVE.
Carlethia 'Carlee' Nichole Russell knocked on her parents door, in an incredible twist, just two days after she vanished into thin air and sparked a massive manhunt.
The circumstances of her sudden disappearance are still unclear as of Sunday morning but WBRC anchor Janice Rogers reported Carlethia, a nursing student, was dropped off at the residence and “appeared to be in shock.”
Carlethia had been on the phone to her boyfriend's sister when she got out the car. The close friend reported hearing a sudden scream before losing contact with her.
Carlethia was taken to hospital as a precaution after returning home (Hoover (AL) Police Department)Cops found her car, along with her phone, purse, wig and Apple watch in the nearby area - but Russell and the child she claimed to have spotted were nowhere to be seen.
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But now, Carlethia has been found alive two days after vanishing - and cops have admitted they have no clue yet where she had been.
Nicholas Derzis, Hoover Police Chief told WBRC he was not sure how Russell got there. “She walked up, banged on the door, and that was her.”
"We work with facts,” Chief Derzis said. “With social media, you got so many people that think they know what’s taken place. Right now, we’re just very pleased that she’s home.”
Police confirmed it was Carlethia and checked her over before taking her to hospital as a precaution.In a statement, police said: "Additional information will be provided when it becomes available."
It comes after police were sent to the Red Roof Inn in Vestavia Hills after family members gathered at the motel, claiming they had received a call that Carlethia was there.
The mystery began after Carlethia left The Woodhouse Spa at the Summit, where she worked part time. On her way home, she stopped by Taziki's at the Colonnade at 9pm to pick up food for herself and her mum.
Her family said they were staying positive and trusting God their daughter would be brought home safely (WBRC)\ Talitha Russell said the last time she spoke with her daughter was around 9:18 p.m. Thursday when she left Taziki's after picking up food and was headed home.
'We are trusting God, we are staying positive, we are not allowing any negative thoughts to enter our minds so all that we are doing is trusting God, believe in God that our daughter will be brought home safely,' Talitha Russell said to WSAZ.
She's known to be helpful and she has a big heart,' Talitha Russell said of her daughter.
'And she does know not to stop for anyone ... I think she kind of let her guard down thinking they were so close. And when she got out the car, she did tell my daughter-in-law, 'I can't just leave this little child on the side of the road.'
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The 25-year-old attends Jefferson State Community College, according to AL, where she is studying to become a registered nurse.
She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from AUM, according to the outlet.
Jefferson State released a statement on Friday and said the school was 'extremely concerned' for Russell's safety.