Nine-year-old Carlie Marie Trent remained missing a week after Gary Simpson, her 57-year-old uncle by marriage, took her from her elementary school in Rogersville, Tennessee, on May 4. Authorities said Simpson falsely told school staff that Carlie’s father had been in an accident and that he had been sent to pick her up. An Amber Alert remained active in Tennessee as investigators pursued leads across multiple states.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said it had specific, credible information that Carlie was in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death, although it could not disclose the details. TBI spokesperson Josh DeVine rejected social media suggestions that Simpson might be protecting her, calling the abduction a crime rather than an innocent camping trip. Agents had received more than 1,200 leads, but authorities reported no credible sightings. A Missouri Amber Alert issued after a possible sighting near Otterville was later canceled.

Before taking Carlie, Simpson bought items at a Walmart, including girls’ clothing and underwear, a bikini, lipstick, nail polish, a blanket and a child’s folding camp chair. After picking her up, he bought nonperishable food and toiletries at a grocery store. Investigators said the purchases suggested he intended to stay out of sight, possibly in a remote area or campground. They contacted park and campground officials in several states and asked rural property owners to check for anything suspicious.

Carlie’s mother, Shannon Trent, said she had long had a bad feeling about Simpson, although he had been a trusted family member for decades. Simpson and his wife had previously had custody of Carlie and her younger sister; Carlie’s father, James Trent, had custody when she disappeared. Shannon said the family would keep searching and appealed to Simpson to come forward. James said he believed Simpson had developed an obsession with Carlie.

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 another $10,000. The U.S. Marshals Service offered $5,000 for information leading to her recovery and Simpson’s capture.

Carlie is described as 4 feet 8 inches tall and about 75 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes. Simpson is about 5 feet 10 inches tall and 157 pounds, balding, with brown hair and brown eyes. They were last seen traveling in a white 2002 Dodge conversion van with Tennessee plate **173GPS**. Anyone with information was asked to call **1-800-TBI-FIND** or Rogersville police at **423-272-7555**; anyone spotting the van or having immediate location information was urged to call **911**.