Nine-year-old Carlie Marie Trent remained missing a week after her uncle by marriage, Gary Simpson, took her from her elementary school in Rogersville, Tennessee, on May 4. Authorities said Simpson, 57, falsely told school staff that Carlie’s father had been in a car accident and that he had been sent to pick her up. Simpson and his wife had previously had custody of Carlie and her younger sister, but her 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. Spokesman Josh DeVine rejected social media speculation that Simpson was protecting her, calling the abduction a crime rather than an innocent camping trip. Agents were reviewing more than 1,200 leads, and law enforcement officers in 19 states were pursuing possible sightings, though none had been confirmed as credible. A Missouri Amber Alert prompted by a possible sighting near Otterville was canceled; the Tennessee alert remained active.

Before picking up Carlie, Simpson bought items at a Rogersville-area Walmart, including girls’ clothing and underwear, a bikini, makeup, blankets and a child’s camping chair. He later bought nonperishable food and toiletries at a grocery store. Authorities said the purchases suggested he intended to remain out of sight, possibly in a remote area or campground. They contacted park and campground officials in Tennessee and neighboring states and asked rural property owners to look for anything suspicious.

Carlie’s mother, Shannon Trent, said she had long had a bad feeling about Simpson, although he was a trusted family member. She urged him to bring Carlie home and said the family would continue searching. James Trent said he believed Simpson had developed an obsession with his daughter.

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

Carlie was described as 4 feet 8 inches tall and 75 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes. Simpson was described as balding, about 5 feet 10 inches tall and 157 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. They were last seen traveling in a white 2002 Dodge conversion van with Tennessee registration **173GPS**. Anyone with information was asked to call **1-800-TBI-FIND**; anyone who spotted the van or knew their immediate location was urged to call **911**.