The vehicle wanted in connection to a missing 9-year-old Tennessee girl may have been spotted southern IL. One of them held Simpson at gunpoint while the other rescued Carlie and called 911.
Advertisement
On Thursday, Simpson and his niece, 9-year-old Carlie Trent, who was the subject of the eight-day AMBER Alert, were found in a remote area in Hawkins County. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesman Josh DeVine would not give details about why investigators believe Carlie Marie Trent could be in trouble.
On May 4, Simpson, her uncle by marriage, removed Carlie from school under false pretenses, the TBI has said.
“These are two heroes who went on their property just to see if they were there”, Gwyn said.
Authorities believe Simpson was driving a white Dodge van at the time of her abduction.. The TBI is asking anyone Rogersville area who owns large amounts of land to check their properties to see if Carlie and her uncle are camping there.
“Thank God she was rescued safe, and let’s pray all the medical examinations turn out positive”, Gwyn said.
Lawson and Franklin were acting on law enforcement appeals to search isolated areas on all-terrain vehicles, Gwyn said. Gwyn said Simpson will be charged to the fullest extent of the law.
According to WCYB in Johnson City, Simpson was taken into custody near Gravely Valley Road.
Carpenter told InsideEdition.com Thursday night, “We’ve been in the woods every day, searching”.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation received more than 2,000 tips and reported sightings from at least 19 different states before Simpson was captured and the girl saved Thursday afternoon – just miles from home.
Her aunt, Simpson’s wife of more than thirty years, was also relieved Carlie had been found. The two were last spotted buying supplies at a grocery store in Rogersville after Carlie was picked up at school, but they haven’t been spotted since. Simpson had once had custody of the young girl, but her father had regained custody and Simpson no longer had any custodial rights of any sort.
Advertisement
Simpson, 57, is married to the sister of Trent’s father. TBI released surveillance footage of Trent and Simpson at the checkout counter, where Simpson bought nail polish, girls underwear and a bikini, among other things. “We are sure the family of Carlie Trent sends their heartfelt thanks for the actions that were taken today”, he said.
