ROGERSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A reward for information leading to the safe recovery of a missing 9-year-old East Tennessee girl has increased to $12,500, authorities said Saturday.
Law enforcement officials continued their search for 9-year-old Carlie Marie Trent of Rogersville, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said. The bureau is working through more than 100 tips it has received since issuing an Amber Alert on Thursday, but there have been no credible sightings so far.
Carlie was signed out of school under false pretenses Wednesday by her non-custodial uncle, 57-year-old Gary Simpson, authorities said. The bureau said Carlie and her uncle they may be in an “isolated area” such as a campground or state park.
Carlie’s pediatrician, Dr. Chris Calendine, is offering a $10,000 reward in the case.
“Calendine previously planned to use the money to save for a boat, but indicated he would rather see the money used to further the effort to bring Carlie home,” the bureau said in a news release.
The U.S. Marshals Service said Friday it was offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the child and Simpson’s capture. Warrants on kidnapping charges have been issued for Simpson.
Carlie is 4 foot 8 inches tall and weighs 75 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Simpson is balding, 5 foot 10 inches tall and weighs 157 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. Both are white.
Authorities said they may be in a white van with a Tennessee registration of 173GPS.