“She was literally fighting for her life for 48 hours, so until she’s physically & mentally stable again she is not able to give any updates or whereabouts on her kidnapper at this very moment,” Thomas Simmons said in an Instagram post Sunday.
It was not clear if Simmons’ account came from speaking with Russell, who was rushed to the hospital after she resurfaced, where she was evaluated and eventually treated and released.
Russell’s family did not confirm that detail in a Facebook statement and police have provided few details about what happened to her after she disappeared off an Alabama highway on Thursday night.
The statement from Russell’s parents also shed no light about what happened to her after her call to 911 call to report a toddler wandering on the highway—just relief that she was back.
“Great morning!!” Talitha Russell, Carlee’s mother, said in a Facebook post Sunday, adding, “Our baby is safe!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Father God.”
Promising a “general statement in the near future,” Talitha Russell added, “Just as we made a commitment to not entertain negative thoughts during the time our daughter was missing, we surely will not entertain negative thoughts/statements, unvalidated opinions, or sheer ignorance at such a joyous time.”
Earlier details from the investigation indicate Carlee Russell was driving home from work on I-459 South when she phoned police dispatchers to report a child walking on the side of the interstate, according to the Hoover Police Department. Police said she also called a family member—but then seemingly lost contact. Responding cops found no sign of Carlee or a child, but located her vehicle.