Nine-year-old Carlie Marie Trent remained missing a week after her uncle by marriage, 57-year-old Gary Simpson, took her from her elementary school in Rogersville, Tennessee, on May 4. Authorities said Simpson signed her out under false pretenses, telling school staff that her father had been in a car accident. Simpson had previously shared custody of Carlie and her younger sister with his wife, but Carlie’s father, James Trent, had custody at the time of her disappearance.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) said it had credible information that Carlie was in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death. Spokesperson Josh DeVine rejected social media speculation that Simpson had taken her to protect her, saying the incident was a crime, not an innocent camping trip. Agents were reviewing more than 1,200 leads, and law enforcement in 19 states was investigating possible sightings, but none had been confirmed as credible. A Missouri Amber Alert issued after a possible sighting near Otterville was canceled; the Tennessee alert remained active.

Before picking Carlie up, Simpson purchased items at a Rogersville-area Walmart, including clothing, girls’ underwear, a bikini, lipstick, nail polish, a blanket and a child-sized camping chair. Afterward, he bought nonperishable food and toiletries at a Save-A-Lot. Carlie did not appear distressed in grocery-store surveillance video, officials said, but they remained concerned for her safety. Investigators believed Simpson may have intended to stay out of sight in a remote area or campground and contacted parks and campgrounds in Tennessee and neighboring states.

Carlie’s mother, Shannon Trent, said she had long had a bad feeling about Simpson and believed the disappearance had been planned. Her father said he feared Simpson had developed an obsession with her. Both parents appealed for Carlie’s safe return.

Two Knoxville banking executives, Matt Daniels and Tim Williams, offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to her return, inspired by a separate $10,000 reward from her pediatrician, Dr. Chris Calendine. The U.S. Marshals Service offered $5,000 for information leading to Carlie’s recovery and Simpson’s capture.

The pair were last seen in a white 2002 Dodge conversion van with Tennessee license plate **173GPS**. Carlie was described as 4 feet 8 inches tall and 75 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes. Authorities asked anyone with information to call **1-800-TBI-FIND (1-800-824-3463)** or Rogersville police at **423-272-7555**. Anyone who spots the van or has immediate information about their location should call **911**.