Carlee Russell, the 25-year-old Alabama woman who made headlines for returning home after claiming to be kidnapped after seeing a toddler walking along a freeway, was lying about her abduction.

Russell’s attorney Emery Anthony shared a statement with local police saying, in part, “My client did not see a baby on the side of the road. My client did not leave the Hoover area when she was identified as a missing person. My client did not have any help in this incident; this was a single act done by herself.”

Anthony added, “My client apologizes for her actions to this community, volunteers who were searching for her, to the Hoover Police Department and other agencies as well. As to her friends and family, we ask for your prayers for Carlee as she addresses her issues and attempts to move forward understanding that she made a mistake in this matter. Carlee, again, asks for your forgiveness and prayers.”