UPDATE - Leads on AMBER Alert was false alarm

Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Carlie Trent from Rogersville, Tenn., was reportedly abducted by Gary Simpson. They were reportedly driving in a white Dodge van with Tennessee license plate number 173GPS.

Reports that a missing nine-year-old Tennessee child was possibly seen this week in Mountain Home turned out to be a false alarm, according to city police.

Police investigators, using video surveillance from local businesses, interviews of witnesses and photographs submitted to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, determined the van seen at the Jade Palace Restaurant on Monday evening was not the vehicle sought by authorities in their search for Carlie Trent.

There were very close similarities in the vehicle seen at the restaurant on American Legion Boulevard and the one matching the description provided by investigators in Tennessee, which made it difficult for investigators to validate, city police officials said. However, they added that it's important for citizens to come forth and make a report, especially with a kidnapping when a child's safety is endangered.

Authorities are also looking for Gary Simpson, who they believe abducted the child.

"We are very thankful that our witness came forward and reported what she saw so that we could investigate and validate whether or not Carlie was in our city so that this information could be released accurately," said police spokesperson Officer Melanie Broughton.

Meanwhile, the Idaho State Police and other law enforcement in the state have received various inquiries about possible sightings of a vehicle involved in Trent's abduction.

"We have been advised that TBI (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation) has received calls about possible sightings from 11 different states," state police said in a press release. "At this point in time, TBI does not believe that there is enough evidence to issue the AMBER Alert for Carlie in Idaho."

The child and her alleged abductor were reportedly driving in a white Dodge van with Tennessee license plate number 173GPS.

However, ISP will immediately issue the alert if requested by Tennessee authorities.

Trent, who was from Rogersville, Tenn., was reportedly abducted by Gary Simpson. They were reportedly driving in a white Dodge van with Tennessee license plate number 173GPS.

Trent stands four-feet, eight inches tall with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Law enforcement officers here and across Idaho urged the public to remain vigilant and contact law enforcement immediately if they see or have seen the child, the suspect or the van involved in this incident.

People may also provide a tip by contacting The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678, or the Tennessee FBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND. More information on the case, including updates from TBI, are available online at www.tn.gov/tbi/topic/active-amber-alerts.

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