Tennessee man who disappeared with 9-year-old niece had recently lost custody of her

Gary Simpson

ROGERSVILLE, Tenn. – A man who disappeared last week with his 9-year-old niece recently lost custody of her, authorities said Monday.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesman Josh Devine told reporters in East Tennessee that Carlie Marie Trent of Rogersville had been placed back into her father’s custody so recently that he hadn’t yet notified school officials.

Police issued an Amber Alert for Carlie on Thursday, the day after authorities say 57-year-old Gary Simpson signed her out of school under false pretenses.

Officials have said they believe the two are in an “isolated area” such as a campground or a park. Devine said that’s because surveillance video shows Simpson purchasing equipment consistent with camping and because the number of tips called in since the Amber Alert was issued is “uncharacteristically low.”

There have been no credible sightings since she was reported missing.