A Middle and East Tennessee AMBER Alert, issued by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on behalf of the Rogersville Police Department, remains in effect for 9-year-old Carlie Marie Trent. Carlie was removed from school on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 4th by her uncle by marriage, Gary Simpson, under false pretenses. He has no custodial rights to Carlie. Currently their whereabouts are unknown.
Carlie Trent possibly sighted in Missouri. Read the latest here.
Since issuing the original Endangered Child Alert Wednesday, and upgrading the alert to an AMBER Alert on Thursday, TBI Agents and Intelligence Analysts have worked to coordinate and verify more than 500 tips. At this time, however, there have been no credible sightings of Carlie Trent, Gary Simpson, or the van in which investigators believe the two may be traveling. Though their whereabouts are currently unknown, investigative efforts suggest they may be out of public view and in an isolated area, such as a campground or park.
On Monday, the TBI shifted several resources to Upper East Tennessee, to include a Command Post staffed by Intelligence Analysts, which will be located in Hawkins County to continue their work to investigate tips, leads, and coordinate the flow of information with local, state, and federal partners.On Sunday, the United States Marshal’s Service dispatched a similar command post to Hawkins County in an effort to do the same. Air searches by helicopter, performed by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, began late Sunday and will be ongoing on an as needed basis as part of the overall search effort.
The United States Marshal’s Service has increased its initial reward of $2,5000 for information leading to the arrest of Gary Simpson and the recovery of Carlie Trent to $5,000. Additionally, Dr. Chris Calendine, Carlie’s pediatrician, has indicated to TBI he will offer $10,000 in reward money for information leading to Carlie’s safe recovery.
Carlie is 4’8″ tall, weighs 75 lbs with blonde hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a black and grey tank top and blue jeans. Simpson is a 57-year-old white male, 5’10” tall, weighing 157 lbs. He is balding and has brown hair and eyes. He was last seen wearing a brown cap, a dark colored shirt and jeans. He was last seen driving a white 2002 Dodge Conversion Van with TN registration 173GPS. The van has a dark stripe down the middle with light gold running boards and paint is chipping off of the hood.
The TBI also continues to urge the public to remain vigilant and alert law enforcement if they see the child, the suspect, or the van involved in this incident. If anyone has information that may prove helpful, they may contact the Rogersville Police Department at 423-272-7555 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
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