Before she disappeared Thursday night in Hoover, Carlee Russell was in Harpersville, where she left police officers there with an impression of a “smart, courteous” woman despite a brief interaction, the town’s police department said Friday.

“We were honored to spend time with this smart, courteous and honoring young woman yesterday,” the department said on social media. “She was handling some business in the Town of Harpersville yesterday and we were so impressed by her respect, poise, good attitude and her drive to become a nursing student and help others.”

“We were able to tell her how much we thought of her and that she would do well in life,” the post continued. “When this news broke, so did our hearts. This world needs many many more young women and young men like her.”

The department said it is “anxiously awaiting hopeful news while our prayers are with her family, friends and community. Please join us in prayer for her safe return.”

Efforts to reach the department for further comment were unsuccessful.

The search for Russell, 25, began Thursday night, when Hoover 911 at 9:34 p.m. received a call from Russell, said Lt. Daniel Lowe of Hoover police.

Russell told the dispatcher that she was near mile marker 11 when she saw a toddler walking alone on the side of I-459 between the flyover to the Galleria and Highway 150.

After calling 911, Russell stopped to check on the child and called a family member to report the same details, Lowe said. The family member lost contact with her, but the line remained open.

Officers who were already en route to the location of the initial 911 call located Russell’s vehicle and some of her belongings nearby but were unable to find her or a child in the area.

Hoover police have not received any other calls of someone missing a small child.

Authorities are not committing to any one theory in Russell’s disappearance, police said at a Friday afternoon press conference.

Russell is a student at Jefferson State Community College, where she is studying to be a registered nurse. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from AUM.

The college said Friday it was “extremely concerned” for Russell’s safety.

“The entire Jefferson State community is extremely concerned for the safety of Student Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell and we are praying for her safe return as soon as possible,” Jeff State said on social media. “Anyone with any information should call the Hoover Police Department at (205) 444-7562.”