*Carlee Russell, the Alabama woman who staged her own kidnapping for 48 hours and was subsequently convicted of filing a false police report, will not be incarcerated following her guilty plea on Thursday for falsely reporting the incident.
We reported previously via CNN that Russell went missing on July 13 after telling the dispatcher that she saw a toddler walking along the side of Interstate 459 South. After the call, Russell stopped her vehicle to check on the toddler and called a family member who lost contact with her, though the line remained open, according to the Hoover Police Department.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found Russell’s vehicle and some of her belongings – including her phone – but no sign of her or the child, according to police. Days later, the Hoover 911 center received a call that Russell had returned home on July 15, Hoover police said in a news release.
Russell allegedly walked home two days after her “disappearance,” and told police she was abducted by a couple and held captive until she was able to escape.
She later admitted through her attorney that she had fabricated the story.
The 26-year-old was charged with orchestrating her own kidnapping, an act that prompted an extensive search operation.
On Tuesday, Judge Carpenter decided on a sentence of 12 months of supervised probation, 110 hours of community service and $17,974.88 in restitution to the City of Hoover, USA Today reports.
“It is a waste of resources to put you in jail. It is a waste of resources to have a trial,” the judge told Russell in court.
Carlee expressed remorse during the hearing, stating: “I want to genuinely apologize for my actions. I made a grave mistake while trying to fight through various emotional issues and stress,” she said.
“I’m extremely remorseful for the panic, fear and various range of negative emotions that were experienced across the nation,” Russell added.
“I want to specifically acknowledge and take accountability for the pain and embarrassment that I inflicted upon my family, my church family, friends, neighbors, community, and all those who were directly involved in the search efforts for me,” she continued.
“I also extend my sincerest apologies to the Hoover Police Department, and every other law enforcement agency and personnel for the position that I put them in and for the resources used. I absolutely regret my decision. And in hindsight, I wish that I had cried for help in a totally different manner,” she stated.
READ MORE: Carlee Russell Found Guilty of Faking Her Own Abduction
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