National media have descended upon Alabama, literally and virtually. The peculiar nature of Carlee Russell's disappearance Thursday evening, her rescue efforts, and her reappearance Saturday evening have captured attention and driven page views all over the country. Part of the drama here is that what was purported to have happened -- that she stopped to help a mysterious toddler along I-459, then was heard over a phone call screaming, and then could simply not be found -- was terrifying but somehow didn't exactly seem to add up. Facts released Wednesday by Hoover Police about the investigation seem to confirm that, somehow, things aren't adding up. Among those facts, per HPD and reported by AL.com's Carol Robinson, was that in the couple days before her disappearance Russell performed multiple Google searches related to Amber alerts, one about the abduction movie "Taken," and some on bus tickets. Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis also said that while she was describing the mysterious toddler to 911, Russell moved down the Interstate 600 yards. Derzis said that she told police she had been abducted by a man and woman and put into an 18-wheeler. And her parents told hosts of NBC's "Today" Show that she had fought for her life. Still, Hoover Police say they “have no reason to believe that there is a threat to public safety related to this case.” Derzis said police are ready to further interview Russell whenever she is ready. |