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, 2016. Authorities said Simpson, 57, falsely told school staff that Carlie’s father had been in an accident and that he had been sent to pick her up. He did not have custody or authority to take her.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation 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 might be protecting her, calling the disappearance a crime rather than an innocent camping trip. Investigators were reviewing more than 1,200 leads and pursuing possible sightings across multiple states, but had received no credible sighting. A Missouri Amber Alert prompted by a possible sighting near Otterville was canceled; the Tennessee alert remained active.

Before taking Carlie, Simpson bought items at a Rogersville-area Walmart, including children’s clothing and underwear, a bikini, cosmetics, a blanket and a camping chair. After picking her up, he purchased nonperishable food and other supplies at a grocery store. Authorities said the purchases suggested he intended to go 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 look for anything suspicious.

Carlie’s mother, Shannon Trent, said Simpson had long been a trusted family member, though she had always had a bad feeling about him. Simpson and his wife previously had custody of Carlie and her sister; Carlie’s father, James, had custody when she disappeared. Both parents appealed for her return, and her father said he believed Simpson had developed an obsession with her.

Two Knoxville banking executives offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to Carlie’s return, matching a separate $10,000 offer from her pediatrician. 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, weighing 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 license plate **173GPS**. Authorities asked anyone with information to call **1-800-TBI-FIND** or Rogersville police at **(423) 272-7555**, and anyone who spots the van to call 911.