After being held captive, a turtle, even a native such as the red ear is in our area, should not be released back to the wild unless checked by a competent vet or knowledgeable amateur. The animal may not be able to recognize and capture its natural prey, and it is possible to introduce unknown pathogens into a wild population through such releases. A non-native species should never be released and a native should not be released later than August so that it has a chance to acclimate itself before needing to hibernate.
If you grow tired of your turtle, try to find an interested person to take it or contact the GCTTS or your vet for a referral.