HOOVER, ALABAMA: Carlee Russell, the woman who claimed to have been kidnapped while helping a toddler on a highway on July 13 before returning home on July 15, has reportedly been fired from her job at a Alabama spa. The 25-year-old nursing student reportedly worked at The Woodhouse in Birmingham and was reportedly sacked on Friday, July 21.
Russell's employer and owner of The Woodhouse spa, Stuart Rome, told The New York Post that Russell's colleagues were left distraught and worried after hearing the initial news of her disappearance and abduction. However, they were "pissed" at Russell after learning of theories and facts that possibly hinted towards a fake kidnapping story. "As the information came out that there were some questionable things, we’ve been a little pissed off, mainly because so many people took so much time out to search," Rome shared.
'We’ve spent the last day battling to get things deleted'
Rome told the New York Post that Russell's co-workers did everything in power to help bring her back home after hearing the news of her disappearance. "It was really devastating for them thinking a co-worker was abducted," he said, adding, "The following day, Saturday, it was the busiest day of the week, and they had to plug along and work and in the off times pass out flyers and other things."
However, after Russell returned home the Hoover Police Department said they could not locate "any evidence of a toddler walking down the interstate" nor did they receive "any additional calls about a toddler walking down the interstate." Officials later revealed that Russell made an online search about the Liam Neeson movie 'Taken' and researched if an Amber Alert would be issued for an individual of her age prior to her disappearance. She also reportedly searched for a one-way bus ticket to Nashville.
Officials found Russell's red Mercedes-Benz, cellphone and wig at the scene of her alleged disappearance but could not find a trace of the woman or the child. As Russell's kidnapping story came under scrutiny amid the investigation, her co-worker's initial concern eventually turned into anger. Rome said that the spa also started getting negative comments on social media and one-star reviews for their association with Russell.
"Basically, we’ve spent the last day battling to get things deleted," Rome said, adding, "Comments. I’ve had to shut down my comment section on Instagram and Facebook page which hurts us because we do a lot of marketing there. We’re just trying to keep the doors open."
'I think it erodes faith for the next time'
After returning back home, Russell told investigators that she was kidnapped by a White man with "orange hair," who appeared from behind the trees on the side of I-459 after she spotted the toddler walking on the highway. She claimed the man blindfolded her and forced her into a car and then into an 18-wheeler truck. The 25-year-old also claimed that she was held captive at a home where a female gave her cheese crackers.
Russell said that eventually, she managed to escape and ran through the woods to reach her neighborhood. Russell's mother, Talitha, told NBC’s 'Today' show that her daughter had “fought for her life” to escape captivity. However, Police Chief Nick Derzis said that investigators were "unable to verify most of Carlee’s initial statement." Reports suggested that she was no longer cooperating with the police.
Amid the ongoing situation, Rome said that if Russell's kidnapping story was confirmed to be hoax, locals may not be quick to come together the next time any real scenario emerges. "I think it erodes faith for the next time, it erodes faith when people see somebody who’s been abducted and they’ve been put through this," he said, adding, "They’re just not going to respond like they did, which is the worst part."
