Carlee Russell’s parents spoke out in an exclusive interview with NBC News, sharing what they could as their daughter’s case is still an ongoing investigation.
The 25-year-old nursing student vanished on Thursday night after calling 911 to report a toddler walking alone on Interstate 495 in Hoover, Alabama.
Carlee was missing for over 48 hours before she showed up on her parent’s doorstep on Saturday night.
Talitha Robinson-Russell and Carlos Russell said Carlee was “not in a good state” when she returned home.
“We tried to hug her as best we could, but I had to stand back because she was not in a good state. So we’ve had to stand back and let medical professionals work with her,” her mother said.
Talitha also shared that she and her family received so many malicious calls and texts from people.
“I didn’t know people could be so evil,” she said while fighting back tears.
What happened to Carlee Russell and her whereabouts during the 48 hours are still unknown and her parents declined to share that information as the investigation is still ongoing.
But, Talitha Robinson-Russell and Carlos Russell said the speculation and rumors surrounding their daughter’s case are only making things worse.
“She’s having to deal with the trauma of people just making completely false allegations about her.”
The Russells did confirm their daughter was abducted.
Mrs. Russell read the following statement, “Carlee has given detectives her statement so that they can continue to pursue her abductor.”
Her parents also shared that Carlee had to physically and mentally fight for her life in order to “make it back home.”
Carlee’s boyfriend, Thomar Simmons, made a similar statement over the weekend via social media.
Watch the interview below.
The Hoover Police Department has also released an update on the case.
But, they have not provided any additional details outside of what we already know in the case.
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