Amber Alert will not be issued in Idaho for missing Tennessee girl
Reports of a missing Tennessee girl being spotted in southern Idaho has law enforcement on the lookout.
Police said 9-year-old Carlie Trent was kidnapped last Wednesday by her uncle. She was taken from her elementary school in Rogersville, Tennessee. An Amber Alert was issued on Thursday morning.
However, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has not requested the state of Idaho to issue an alert. Idaho State Police public information officer Teresa Baker issued this statement.
“The Idaho State Police and other Idaho law enforcement have received various inquiries about possible sightings of a vehicle involved in an AMBER Alert for the abduction of 9-year-old Carlie Trent in Tennessee. ISP has been in contact with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) about issuing the AMBER Alert in Idaho. We have been advised that TBI has received calls about possible sightings from 11 different states and that at this point in time TBI does not believe that there is enough evidence to issue the AMBER Alert for Carlie in Idaho. TBI and ISP will stay in contact and ISP will issue the alert immediately if requested by TBI to do so. “
In the meantime, Idaho law enforcement has the AMBER Alert information on this case and will be vigilant in keeping a look out for Carlie, the suspect Gary Simpson and/or the van they are believed to be traveling in.
According to Idaho State Police’s website, an amber alert is activated when a child is known by law enforcement officials to have been abducted, the abduction occurred within 12 hours of initial activation of Amber Alert, the child is under 17, the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death, descriptive data available on victim, suspect or vehicle, and victim is entered into NCIC.
Baker also said each state has a national Amber Alert coordinator, who diligently work to make the process better.
“The national committee is always reviewing procedures and always keeping an eye open to better the process because children’s lives are at stake and there’s nothing more important than keeping our children protected,” Baker said.
Idaho Falls Police Public Information Officer Jolyn Hansen confirmed reports of the vehicle being sighted in the area, but said those tips have been unsubstantiated.
Police said Gary Simpson may have taken Carlie under false pretenses. Now authorities believe he is driving a 2002 Dodge Conversion van with Tennessee plates 173GPS. Police describe the van as having a dark stripe down the middle with light gold running boards and paint is chipping off of the hood.
Carlie is described as 4 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 75 pounds. She has blue eyes and blonde hair, she was last seen wearing a black and grey tank top and blue jeans.
Gary Simpson is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 157 pounds. He is balding and has brown eyes and brown hair, he was last seen wearing a brown cap, a dark colored shirt and jeans.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has received several reports of sightings from across the country.
If you see or have any information you’re urged to call the T-B-I at 1-800-TBI-FIND (1-800-824-3463).
