Woman who made up elaborate kidnapping hoax is sentenced for making false report to police

In June, Carlethia Russell called 911 and said she had spotted a child walking alone on I-459 South. Russell then called her family saying she has stopped her car to check on the child. After that, the family member lost contact with her.

Police found her vehicle but no sign of Russell or a child, sparking a frantic search that ended when Russell appeared at her family’s home July 15. Police uncovered evidence that Russell fabricated the entire story and faked her own abduction, which Russell later admitted to through her lawyer.