If you would like to make a contribution to the reward fund for Summer Wells, you can go to any Civis Bank Branch and tell them you would like to donate to the Church Hill Rescue Squads Reward Fund for Summer Wells. This case is still very active and intense, with everything possible being checked out by Hawkins County Detectives and Agents of the T.B.I., Hawkins County Sheriff Ronnie Lawson said. June 15, 2022 marked one year since the Hawkins County girl went missing. The reward fund for information leading to the location or recovery of the five-year-old has a current total f $250 according to Captain Tim Coup, Church Hill Rescue Squad. All rights reserved. That didnt include the command staff, that didnt include the logistics, that didnt include TBI, FBI. Some being from one hilltop to the other hilltop, or at the start of the road and you might go a mile before you ever get to another residence, making that very difficult for residents just to be able to be at home while outside working or something and notice her leaving that area., Coup explained why they are not asking for volunteers to help in the search, Due to the extreme terrain, the nature of this, trying to locate her, trained professionals [are] what we need at this time to make sure that these residents dont become endangeredand expand this issue with having to search for somebody else.. A $25,000 check and a $10,000 check were added to the reward total, meaning the total is now at $37,470.00, officials said. If you are the driver of this truck, please contact us. Investigators announced that ground search efforts will cease at 8 p.m. EST on Thursday, and resume efforts Friday morning. TBI asked anyone with credible information to call 1-800-TBI-FIND. summer wells found safe. Wednesday, June 16, The TBI upgraded the Endangered Child Alert to an AMBER Alert after TBI said new information and growing concern about the well-being of Summer prompted the state-wide alert. I feel in my heart that somebody has came up here and took her has lured her away from here, she said. HAWKINS COUNTY The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation continues to work alongside the Hawkins County Sheriffs Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and numerous other local and state agencies to locate 5-year-old Summer Moon-Utah Wells, who became the subject of a statewide AMBER Alert on Wednesday, June 16th. Five days later, her car was discovered 30 miles away in a parking lot. Our hope was that the individual might have information that could help the investigation. However, we want to reassure the public that TBI agents and Hawkins County detectives are looking into all possibilities in an effort to determine what happened to the 5-year-old. However, since we arent able to respond to all individual inquiries, weve worked with the Hawkins County Sheriffs Office to compile a list of questions we frequently receive from those who have recently started following the case. However, all avenues continue to be explored, including foul play and the possibility that she wandered off and became lost in the mountainous and rough terrain surrounding her home. Cell phone data has been analyzed, and any other available digital evidence has been collected, searched, and documented. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Ashley Bohle is live now in Hawkins County to catch us up to speed. However, none have panned out and the search continues. #SummerWells 1/6 pic.twitter.com/TjXSpDdVty. pic.twitter.com/Bm50UIB08W. Wells pleaded guilty to the DUI charge on Feb. 7, and the state dropped the rest of his charges from October. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Sheriff Lawson called for all residents of the Beech Creek Road area to go out as soon as possible and check their entire property, in any place a child could hide. Amanda Hara shares new details from the TBI, including why they decided to issue an AMBER Alert for Summer Wells. Agents and Hawkins County detectives continue to search for a 1998-2000 maroon or red Toyota Tacoma, with a full bed ladder rack and white buckets in the truck bed. The simple fact of the family and other rescuers and everything is there has been no outcome. Knoxville, Tennessee. Spot her? If it means me paying out of my pocket to make sure these trucks are going on calls, Ill do it.. TBI tweeted out photos of the terrain involved in the search area for Summer Wells Thursday afternoon. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. If no leads or tips come in by December 31, the money will be donated to the Childrens Advocacy Center in Mosheim. She further clarified that several targeted searches had been conducted over the course of the investigation. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued an endangered child alert. Four people have been indicted as part of an ongoing investigation targeting those bringing dangerous drugs into Knox County and surrounding areas from Detroit, MI. Why are flags at half-staff at the TN State Capitol? TBI representatives confirmed that 128 officers from12 agencies, including two K9 teams, are involved in the search. The Hawkins County Sheriffs Department shared an update on Facebook. Her family reported last seeing the 5-year-old around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. 9 Summer is pictured with her mother Candus Credit: Facebook / Donald Wells 9 Yes. Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced Tuesday that Hawkins County deputies, along with officials from several other law enforcement agencies, have returned to the Beech Creek area to search for Summer Wells. Hawkins County Sheriffs Office officials provided an update on the investigation and search for Summer Wells Sunday. We werent out there every day searching. That money is going to take away from other necessary expenditures, capital projects, replacing a front line rescue truck that we have down right now, it will put those things on hold. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. On Thursday, crews began conducting line searches in the Beech Creek area of Hawkins County. Additionally, the photo was not released by law enforcement. In order to preserve the integrity of the investigation, we will not provide additional information regarding the timeline. Summer is described as being a white female with short blonde hair and blue eyes. This coming Friday marks four months since Summer Wells first went missing. @HawkinsCountySO #TNAMBERAlert pic.twitter.com/qgk0Vp3MGr. The girls parents, Donald Wells and Candus Bly, have said they believe their daughter was abducted. Most of those have been the result of misinformation being spread online. Then Don Wells, Summer's dad, released a statement to the local WJHL-TV condemning "negativity" on social media that he said isn't helping anyone find the missing girl. Following the incident, Summer Wells mother, Candus Bly, filed for an order of protection against Wells. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND. Summers family, including parents Don Wells and Candus Bly, reported last seeing the girl around 6:30 p.m. that evening at her home. MISSING TENNESSEE GIRL SUMMER WELLS' PARENTS BOTH HAVE CRIMINAL RECORDS. FBI agents continue to assist with the investigation. Earhart also was unable to confirm if Summers brothers, who were taken into DCS custody late last year, were still separated from the family. Sharing speculation or rumors only makes the process more difficult for law enforcement by increasing the number of non-credible tips, TBI stated on Twitter. |Find the latest coverage on Summer Wells as the search for the missing Rogersville girl continues. Will Puckett is live now with a timeline of events up to this point. Call 1-800-TBI-FIND! The parents are upset and cooperating with law enforcement, officials said. Yes, more than once, including the basement, crawl space, all vehicles, outbuildings, barrels, and other items located on the property. Hawkins County investigators immediately began working the case. We are learning more about the family history: TBI shares update as AMBER Alert stretches into the sixth day https://bit.ly/3xDYE23. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Have you searched the phones and computers belonging to the Wells family? According to the protection order, Bly said Wells was mentally and physically abusive. I told the boys, I said, Watch Summer; Ill be back. And within two minutes, I came back, and I asked the boys where their sister was, and they said, She went downstairs, Mom, to play with her toys in the playroom. I said, OK. And I yelled downstairs for her a couple times, and I didnt get no answer, which was unusual because usually she always answers me. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. The agency chose to upgrade the alert because of new information and growing concern.. Hawkins County officials said the storms will change their approach but not their aggressiveness in searching. In an effort to cover all bases and identify the driver, the TBI, in agreement with the Hawkins County Sheriffs Office and the FBI, released the vehicle description. Here's are new images we've just obtained that may be more representative of her current hair length. She would never leave our hill. UPDATE: The ongoing investigation into last week's officer-involved shooting in Carroll County has resulted in additional charges today. WVLT News reached out to Donald Wells twice to confirm the report, but he refused to answer questions regarding where the boys were or if they were taken by the DCS. The investigation into the disappearance of 5-year-old Summer Wells remains active and ongoing Thursday, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Numerous local, state, and federal agencies are working together with one goal in mind finding Summer. In July, the Hawkins County Sheriff said that churning misinformation was hampering the investigation., The TBI said on Wednesday it had executed numerous search warrants in the course of the investigation, which has included exhaustive ground searches and dozens of aerial searches. Wells was last seen at her familys Hawkins County home on June 15 this year, after her mother said the 5-year-old returned inside after gardening with her grandmother. Additionally, K9 teams specializing in a variety of search methods have also been utilized. Authorities said Summers parents were upset about the situation and have been cooperative with law enforcement during the investigation. LIVE: The TBI and Hawkins Co. authorities give important findings in Summer Wells case. Wednesday marks the second day in the continued search of the rugged terrain area in the Beech Creek area of Hawkins County. Its been the goal of this team since day one to find Summer, he said. When you dont have a suspect or you dont have a defined this is what happened, there was definitely an abduction, or this child definitely wandered off I think it really hangs a cloud of suspicion because youre like could someone in our community be responsible for this? Gray said. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. One year after the girl went missing, Summers father, Don Wells, released a statement. Additionally, in the first week, the FBI Child Abduction Rapid Deployment (CARD) team responded to the area. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. TBI said it received information through a tip that a Toyota truck was seen in the area of Beech Creek Road and Ben Hill Road in the late afternoon to early evening on either Monday, June 14th, or Tuesday, June 15th. The truck is described as possibly being a 1998-2000 maroon or red Toyota Tacoma, with a full bed ladder rack along with white buckets in the truck bed.. Yes. Investigators conducted a roadblock canvas Tuesday evening, speaking with drivers in the Beech Creek area. Summers brothers have been interviewed along with others who stayed in the home in the months before her disappearance. TODAY: TBI agents and Hawkins County deputies are in the Beech Creek area as part of a planned search for five-year-old #SummerWells. Property owners in the Beech Creek area are also urged to check barns, crawl spaces, and other places a child could hide. The search is planned to continue through Wednesday. Investigators said they have not ruled out an abduction but currently have no evidence to confirm that the child was abducted. Have you searched the flower bed? At this time 77 agencies spanning across multiple states including Ohio, Alabama, Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina to assist in the search. The search for 5-year-old Summer Wells continues this evening. Church Hill Rescue Squad continues to assist local, state, and federal agencies as requested. How many ground searches have been conducted? At night they are using FLIR, which is a thermal imaging technology that detects body heat at night. However, please understand that we cannot share specifics about the investigation itself, as it is ongoing. Additionally, in the first week, the FBI Child Abduction Rapid Deployment (CARD) team responded to the area. Yes. At the time she went missing, she was wearing gray pants, a pink shirt and may have been barefoot. Call 1-800-TBI-FIND! Have you collected and reviewed surveillance video? Fishermen impacted by Old Hickory boating accident, TN firing squad bill clears another hurdle, Severe storms, flash flooding possible this week, Man free on bond arrested on gun, drug charges, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Wednesday, Dec. 15, marks six months since her disappearance. Those searches dont account for the numerous other targeted searches that agents and detectives have done while following up on potential leads. Testing for . Investigators will continue to search points of interest as they are developed as well as follow up on all tips regarding Summers whereabouts. Were going to continue on until we find Summer and put this case to rest, Lawson explained. Dive teams were brought in to search bodies of water in the area. There are now more than 80 agencies from Tennessee, Ohio, Virginia, Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina searching nearly six square miles around the home where Summer disappeared in Hawkins County, Tennessee. Officials said that misinformation has continued to circulate on social media platforms. Don Wells, the father of missing 5-year-old Summer Wells, was arrested early Sunday morning for driving under the influence, according to a report from WJHL. Wednesday, the Hawkins County Sheriffs Office held its first media briefing at 4 p.m. at Solomons Temple Missionary Baptist Church located at 7659 Lone Star Road in Kingsport to provide an update on the search for Summer. Earhart also cautioned against misinformation and scams on social media, asking people to not submit tips based on YouTube videos or theories. A large search effort of the surrounding area turned up nothing. Summers parents, Don Wells and Candus Bly, have started a YouTube channel dedicated to thanking the community for all the help it has provided in the search for Summer. Her parents believe Summer was abducted from their property. "It has been brought to our attention that a photo of what the truck may look like has been circulating on social media, along with claims that the vehicle has been located," the statement read. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. #SummerWells pic.twitter.com/y7kE6qvbB3, LIVE: Search teams have returned to the Beach Creek area with a heavy law enforcement presence in the search for missing 5-year-old Summer Wells. "This is not accurate. In the letter, Don Wells states that the familys lives have all changed since the disappearance, and he asks those responsible to return the girl to the authorities. UPDATED 6/19/21 at 8:30 p.m. (ET) to include photos of the area where Summer Wells went missing, the search efforts, and the terrain teams are combing through in hopes of finding her. The misinformation and speculation simply dont help the case, an official from the TBI said. ROGERSVILLE, TN (WSMV) - Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents and Hawkins County Sheriff's Office deputies participated in a "planned search" for Summer Wells on Monday. All rights reserved. At the time, the search had composed of 1,150 searchers that had logged more than 13,800 hours of searching. Have you questioned others that were in the home at the time Summer went missing? We would also encourage the public to be cautious about donating to private individuals who claim to be working with law enforcement on this case. Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed that they have received just under 1,160 tips to date regarding the search for Summer Wells. While law enforcement conducts the investigation, the physical search continues. Weve collected surveillance photos and videos from a variety of locations. Numerous specialized search and rescue groups including the TN Task Force 2, BUSAR, Appalachian Mountain Rescue, Black Diamond, SCSAR, Central Carolina SAR, Great Smokey Mountain National Park, RATSAR, and Search and Rescue Tracking Institute, and numerous K-9 Teams have been represented from these agencies. In order to preserve the integrity of the investigation, we will not provide additional information regarding the timeline. In addition to air and land searches, ponds and creeks are also being checked. Cell phone data and cell tower data have been analyzed. This includes social media accounts. Live with the latest on the TBI Amber Alert for the missing 5-year-old Hawkins Co. girl https://bit.ly/3gAH2NP. We would like to speak with you to confirm this information and ask what you may have heard or seen at the time. Additionally, K9 teams specializing in a variety of search methods have also been utilized. TBI officials said the agency continues to work alongside the Hawkins County Sheriffs Office and the FBI to search for answers in the case. Woman accused of driving into home, killing former pro basketball player Galen Young granted diversion, MPD searching for person of interest after gas station shooting that killed a man, Juvenile inmate escapes Wilder Youth Development Center, YMCA holds ribbon cutting ceremony for its new location in Whitehaven, Searching for Summer Wells: One Year Later, who were taken into DCS custody late last year, was arrested on Oct. 30 for driving under the influence. Please help us and more importantly Summer by only sharing facts about the case. We cant begin to express our gratitude for the support and assistance from the Hawkins County community and surrounding areas. #TNAMBERAlert: Summer Wells has now been missing from the Beech Creek community in Hawkins County for two weeks and two days.We arent giving up.Anyone with first-hand information about Summers disappearance is asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND or email TipsToTBI@tn.gov. If you have any information about Summer Wells you should call 911 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND. Speaking with command staff, speaking to subject matter experts that were involved from other agencies out of state, getting together every day, putting all these things together to make the decision- I can say made the decision easier but it didnt.. Summer Wells three brothers were removed from the Wells household by the Department of Child Services, according to a new report. The flowers were planted in pots, and yes, the pots were examined. He isnt sure how much his rescue squad spent on supplies and other expenditures from the search for Summer Wells, but he assured that his agency will not be put in the red because of it. The law enforcement side of it, they utilized that center for part of their work so our board of directors felt led that that is where that money should go to benefit other children in our area.. Crews continue in the second week of the search for missing 5-year-old Summer Wells. Are there places that I missed? The AMBER Alert lists the following details for Summer. The family is also asking for direct tips via their website findsummerwells.com. We havent forgotten her, and we wont. On June 16, authorities issued an Amber Alert on Summers behalf, meaning they thought she was in immediate danger. KNOX COUNTY - A joint investigation by special agents with the Drug Investigation Division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Knoxville Police Department, and the 5 th Judicial District Drug Task Force has resulted in the indictment of four people in two counties on drug charges related to fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.. The case remains unsolved and weighs heavily on all those working to find answers. Have you questioned neighbors and searched their properties? The Mt. Its been 600 days since Hawkins County child Summer Moon-Utah Wells went missing, and investigators are still trying to find out what happened. Copyright 2021 WVLT. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. The search continues Monday for missing 5-year-old Summer Wells. The investigation remains ongoing at this time. However, they said most of the tips have not been based on credible information. The Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads requested a statewide call-out for agencies across the state to help Sunday in the search for missing Summer Wells. At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, investigators asked people living in the area to check outbuildings and storage sheds for any sign of the missing child. Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation provided an update into the investigation and search for Summer Wells Thursday. The team has covered a lot of area, Rader said. This investigation weighs heavily on us all, and I promise that no one wants answers more than we do, Earhart said. Church-goers at the Kingsport Seventh-Day Adventist Church are keeping the family in their thoughts, Ryder said. Investigators have been searching for a 1998 to 2000 model year maroon or red Toyota Tacoma with a full-sized ladder rack and white buckets in the bed that may have been near the Wells home at Beech Creek Road and Benn Hill Road on June 14, 15 or 16. We continue to follow up on potential leads and will not give up on finding Summer. Dive teams were brought in to search bodies of water in the area on several different occasions. The family is cooperating in the investigation, Lawson said, but declined to answer questions about any issues within the home. Is there evidence that Summer was abducted? The sheriffs office announced more than 106 agencies across six states have joined the search for Summer, covering more than 3,000 acres of land. The TBI continued its search for Summer Wells with help from nearly 70 agencies across the region, including crews from Alabama. Today marks one year since Summer Wells disappeared, sparking an ongoing #TNAMBERAlert.Our team continues to work with other agencies to chase every lead we can. Once everybody leaves over there, its a 20-minute drive from Beech Creek back to [The Church Hill Rescue Squad.] Summers mother and grandmother stated that she was planting flowers with them shortly before she was last seen. 3/6 pic.twitter.com/9ms6PhglnX, The TBI also stated they have executed multiple search warrants and have collected potential digital evidence.. WVLT News was on the scene the entire day in Hawkins County, covering updates as soon as they happened. Sunday, in a release, the TBI announced it would be scaling back its search efforts in the search for Summer Wells due to the difficult terrain exhausting crews both physically and mentally. Photos: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Everyone continues to ask if she wandered off, why did somebody not see her, said Church Hill Rescue Squad Captain Tim Coup. FBI agents continue to assist with the investigation. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said its agents and Hawkins County Sheriff's Office deputies are back in the area, focusing on previously identified areas of interest in the search for Summer. She reportedly left her home that night to meet a cousin at a bar, but she never reached her destination. Just because we may not be seen as such a large presence in and throughout the area, rest assured that we have not quit and wont quit until we find Summer Wells, the release states. Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed that they have received just under 1,200 tips to date regarding the search for Summer Wells. David Rader is with Equusearch, an organization that goes around the country to help find missing people. According to state investigators, she was last seen outside her family's house in Hawkins County, Tennessee. Officials said canine teams specializing in air scent, trailing/tracking and cadaver dogs are all being used in the search efforts. If you are the driver of the truck or know who it may be, you are asked to contact the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND. The contributions of the members of each rescue squad and volunteer fire department within Hawkins County simply cant be measured. Call the @HawkinsCountySO at 423-272-7121 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND. ", Tennessee investigators again pushed back against social media rumors Wednesday in the case of missing Rogersville 5-year-old Summer Wells, who vanished from her home in mid-June. This includes social media accounts, the update stated. #TNAMBERAlert pic.twitter.com/8YpSASYdlp. https://bit.ly/3jQCsh2. The vast majority of those pertain to rumors and speculation. The rugged mountainous terrain continues to cause problems. I have 33 active members on my roster. Wells addressed accusations of foul play by members of the community and that the TBI has searched his familys home as part of the ongoing investigation. Many of you have asked for details about whats been done in the last year. Most of the questions have been asked by local media agencies covering the case from the beginning and have been answered by authorities throughout the investigation. Teams continue to search the area surrounding the residence where 5-year-old Summer Wells went missing, utilizing all available resources. Juanita for one. Everybodys a person of interest till we find Summer, said Hawkins County Sheriff Ronnie Lawson. Please know that we have never stopped, Lawson said. Pictures of law enforcements search efforts were released in the series of TBI tweets, showing the Wells familys rural Beech Creek home surrounded by elevated, rough terrain and dense woods. New information and a growing concern about the well-being of Summer prompted the TBI to issue a statewide AMBER Alert less than twelve hours later. Authorities have tried searching from the ground and air, while also using K-9 units and conducting roadblocks. Additionally, the entire area was canvased in an effort to locate any residential cameras that werent voluntarily reported. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Anyone with credible information is asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND.
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