Carlee Russell, 26, was found guilty by a Hoover municipal judge on Wednesday of faking her own abduction.

The ruling came after Russell pleaded not guilty to charges of false reporting to law enforcement authorities and falsely reporting an incident.

Despite her plea, Municipal Judge Brad Bishop found her guilty based on the recommendation of state prosecutors. The judge recommended one year in jail and $17,874 in restitution. He also recommended two fines of $831 each.

Russell, holding her hands behind her back, fidgeted nervously as she entered her plea at about 2:14 p.m.

In municipal court, there is no jury trial. The constitution allows anyone who faces jail time to have their case heard and decided by a jury of their peers.

Bishop explained that often defendants will enter a plea in municipal court and the appeal his verdict to Jefferson County Circuit Court to take the case to a jury trial.

Russell, represented by attorneys Emory Anthony and Richard Jaffe, is appealing to the circuit court.

Russell seemingly vanished Thursday, July 13, after calling 911, and a family member, to report seeing a child, about 3 or 4 years old only wearing a diaper, walking alone on I-459.

The family member reported hearing a scream, and then only interstate noise through the open cell phone line.

Read full coverage of the case here

Russell’s disappearance sparked a massive search and widespread concern.

Two days later, Russell showed up alone at her parents Hoover home. She was taken to UAB Hospital for evaluation.

While at UAB Hospital, Russell told Hoover police she escaped the clutches of a man and woman who abducted her.

Authorities determined Russell left her job at Woodhouse Day Spa – from which she has since been fired – after taking a robe, toilet paper and a small amount of cash.

She ordered food from Taziki’s at The Colonnade. Carlee then traveled to Target on U.S. 280 where she bought some granola bars, Cheez-its, and a drink.

She remained in the parking lot there until 9:21 P.M., then drove to I-459.

Russell called 911 at 9:34 p.m. She then called her brother’s girlfriend, and about 9:36 p.m. went missing.

No one else ever reported seeing a toddler there.

Russell traveled approximately 600 yards while on the phone with 911.

Police found Russell’s wig, cell phone and purse near her vehicle. Her Apple Watch was in her purse.

The food from Taziki’s was in her car. Items from Target, as well as the items taken from the spa, were not at the scene.

In her interview after her return – the only interview she has given to police – Russell told officers she was abducted.

“She told detectives that while traveling down the interstate, she saw a baby walking down the side of the road and called 911. When she got out of her vehicle to check on the child, a man came out of the trees,” Derzis previously said.

“That man then picked her up and she screamed. He then made her go over a fence. He then forced her into a car and the next thing she remembers is being in the trailer of an 18-wheeler. She stated that the male was with a female, however she never saw the female, only hearing her voice. She also told detectives she could hear a baby crying,” he said.

“She told detectives the male had orange hair with a big bald spot on the back. She was able to escape the 18-wheeler and fled on foot, only to be captured again and put into a car,” Derzis said.

“She said that they took her into a house and made her get undressed. She believes they took pictures of her, but she does not remember them having any physical or sexual contact with her. She stated that the next day, she woke up and was fed cheese crackers by the female,” according to Derzis.

“She stated the woman also played with her hair, but she could not remember anything else.

“She was put back in a vehicle that she claims was able to escape from while it was west Hoover area. She told detectives that she ran through lots of woods until she came out near her residence,” the chief said.

“Detectives noted that Carlee had a small injury to her lip, and she complained of her head hurting. She also had a tear in her shirt. Detectives also noted that she had $107 in cash in her right sock.”

Police announced the charges against her two weeks after the staged disappearance, which Russell admitted was fabricated in a statement released through her lawyer.

“As we all know, actions can have consequences and that’s why we are here today,” Derzis said when announcing the charges.

“Her decisions that night created panic and alarm for the citizens of our city,,’’ he said, “and even across the nation as concern grew that a kidnapper was on the loose, using a small child as bait.”

“Numerous law enforcement agencies, both local and federal, began working tirelessly not only to bring Carlee home to her family, but locate a kidnapper that we now know never existed,’’ Derzis said. “Many private citizens volunteered their time and energy into looking for a potential kidnapping victim that we now know was never in any danger.”