Search efforts will continue day and night for the missing child. Yes. Click Manage settings for more information and to manage your choices. We urge the public to share info from credible sources. Officials with law enforcement told WVLT News that the reward money for the ongoing search for Summer Wells saw a substantial increase Tuesday. To know that we can still day-in and day-out provide the services that the community and the people that live in Hawkins County paying their taxes for them to provide their services to them, well continue to do it. Oct 2017 - Present5 years 6 months. TBI asked anyone with credible information to call 1-800-TBI-FIND. #SummerWells 1/6 pic.twitter.com/TjXSpDdVty. The . As we mark #BlackHistoryMonth, we're sharing the stories of some of our team members, who boldly bring their passion -- and perspective -- to better the Bureau and -- in turn -- help us better protect and serve the state of #Tennessee. Officials said that Summers AMBER Alert is still active and her case is not considered a cold case. Search efforts will continue on a more specialized team basis as needed and directed from local, state, and federal agencies. More than 100 agencies have contributed to search efforts. I hate to think that. Should we develop that type of information, we will share it with you immediately. Additionally, K9 teams specializing in a variety of search methods have also been utilized. Wednesday marks the second day in the continued search of the rugged terrain area in the Beech Creek area of Hawkins County. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Monday marks 600 days since an Amber Alert was issued for Hawkins County child Summer Moon-Utah Wells, and investigators are still trying to find out what happened. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The mother of the missing 5-year-old Summer Wells spoke out publicly for the first time since the girls disappearance. Yes. We want to be clear that were doing everything within our power to find her. Will Puckett is live now with more details. 9 Summer is pictured with her mother Candus Credit: Facebook / Donald Wells 9 Jail, where he remains, according to WJHL. The information released by the TBI throughout the investigation, including a list of frequently asked questions, can be reviewed below. The website also contains several pictures of the girl and quotes from her family. Detectives continue to investigate each lead Tuesday morning. TBI representative Leslie Earhart took the stand at the media briefing, summarizing what investigators had done so far. In addition to air and land searches, ponds and creeks are also being checked.Call 1-800-TBI-FIND with information. The family was not the only group to take to YouTube during the case. We continue to follow up on potential leads and will not give up on finding Summer. 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. Right now, in essence, pretty much all were going off of is anything credible, credible leads, credible information.. Yes. They took their own PTO time out. Incoming severe weather is a concern for search crews, according to officials. Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation provided an update into the investigation and search for Summer Wells. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. #TNAMBERAlert: Authorities are conducting line searches this afternoon in the Beech Creek area of Hawkins County, near where Summer Wells was last seen. investigation reached nearly eight months. Rescuers and crews spent hours looking for the little girl through the tough, mountainous terrain in the heat taking a toll on searchers. Additionally, neighborhood canvases were conducted in an effort to make sure we didnt miss any residential cameras. TBI spokesperson Leslie Earhart spoke on the case as it passed into its second week, saying, this one is outside the norm. At the time, more than 106 agencies from six states had joined the search. The vast majority of those pertain to rumors and speculation. (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation). The girl was first reported missing on June 15, 2021, at the center of a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation-issued Endangered Child Alert. 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. We werent covering 4.6 square miles or 3,000 acres of land of treacherous land, steep inclines, steep terrain, treacherous terrain. Please help us bring her home! Yes. Have you questioned registered sexoffenders in the area? The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed the investigation is still active and ongoing Wednesday with no new developments after the search of previously identified points of interest in February. Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said authorities have received more than 560 tips as of Monday afternoon. 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. Additionally, the entire area was canvased in an effort to locate any residential cameras that werent voluntarily reported. Dilbert creator loses comics distributor over racist remarks, Rutherford Co. wrestling coach suspended after alleged sexual contact with student, Lewis County deputy still on patrol duty after DUI arrest, Investigators seek to ID person who set fire at Nashville apartment complex, Police arrest alleged serial Nashville robbery suspect. The red Toyota Tacoma was described as having a full-bed ladder rack with white buckets in the bed. Summer went missing from her fami l y's Tennessee home on 15 June. Donald Wells was arrested on domestic assault charges in 2020. Rescue officials said supply donations for crews assisting in the search have been paused due to overwhelming support. Crews will assess supplies at the end of the day Monday to see if they are in need of more donations. Church Hill Rescue Squad shared the Summer Wells Reward Fund total is $73,705.90. The Hawkins County Sheriffs Department shared an update on Facebook. This includes social media accounts. TBI officials began scaling back the search on June 27. On June 16, authorities issued an Amber Alert on Summers behalf, meaning they thought she was in immediate danger. That vehicle was not captured on surveillance cameras. We have been unable to identify the driver of this truck. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND. LIVE: Update on the ongoing search for missing 5-year-old Summer Wells, The Hawkins County community tells Ashley Bohle they are still on edge since Summer's disappearance. Almost two years after her disappearance, Summer Wells still remains missing. @HawkinsCountySO #TNAMBERAlert pic.twitter.com/qgk0Vp3MGr. Legal Statement. According to TBI, 304 tips have come in, but none have resulted in a significant development in the case. This morning, we'll update that effort in an 11 a.m. media availability.WATCH HERE: https://t.co/bZPSvQppNG pic.twitter.com/q42cpWEXKk. Investigators and searchers have not given up on the girl and are asking anyone to submit information by calling 1-800-TBI-FIND. Have you questioned the parents? or redistributed. Within the next two weeks, Coup is hosting an incident debrief with counselors on hand for all who were on the ground looking for Summer. The family is cooperating in the investigation, Lawson said, but declined to answer questions about any issues within the home. We had hoped to have good news to share with you by now, but unfortunately we do not, TBIs Public Information Officer, Leslie Earhart said. She reportedly left her home that night to meet a cousin at a bar, but she never reached her destination. Once everybody leaves over there, its a 20-minute drive from Beech Creek back to [The Church Hill Rescue Squad.] TODAY: TBI agents and Hawkins County deputies are in the Beech Creek area as part of a planned search for five-year-old #SummerWells. 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. According to the Church Hill Rescue Squad, the reward for finding Summer or information leading to finding Summer is now at more than $58,000. We can tell you that agents and detectives have worked thousands of hours on this case. The channel currently has dozens of videos posted and almost 14,000 subscribers. The subject of social media rumors has surfaced in the case before. Yes. Four months after Summers disappearance, her parents created a YouTube channel dedicated to thanking the community for their efforts. "We are also aware of individuals asking for donations from the public under the pretense that they are assisting law enforcement in the search for Summer," the TBI statement continued. Should we develop information that she was abducted and have suspect and vehicle specifics to provide, we will share it with the public immediately. An AMBER Alert remains active until a child is located. The TBI is asking anyone with information about Wells' whereabouts to call 1-800-TBI-FIND or contact the Hawkins County Sheriff's Office at 423-272-7121. Additionally, the photo was not released by law enforcement. Dive teams were brought in to explore waterways in the area, and K9 teams specializing in a variety of search methods have been utilized. I dont think shes in the area because the dog goes down to the road and thats the end of the trail, but I dont know that for a fact. Moving forward, we ask the public not to submit tips as a result of a video you have viewed on YouTube or a theory youve seen posted on Facebook. Summer Moon-Utah Wells is 3-feet tall with blonde hair who is believed to be barefoot. The TBI confirmed it has received 730 tips so far, but none have resulted in a solid lead. Please help us and only call if you have direct, specific information about the disappearance of Summer. However, we havent given up, and we wont, officials said. Click the link in our bio for the new charges. WVLT's Will Puckett gives the latest as the child's father speaks out for the first time. She was last seen Tuesday walking near her home in the Beech Creek community wearing a pink shirt and gray shorts. Weve noticed an uptick in misinformation being spread online about the search for 5-year-old Summer Wells, who went missing from her home in Hawkins County in June. The Hawkins County Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation continue to work alongside the FBI to determine what happened to Summer. Since then, that number has jumped to 2,200, TBI officials told WVLT News. At the time she went missing, she was wearing gray pants, a pink shirt and may have been barefoot. According to the TBI, the case is not cold and it remains active and ongoing. 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. This week, teams returned to Hawkins County as part of a planned search that focused on previously identified areas of interest. WVLT News spoke to Don Wells, who addressed concerns that foul play might have been involved in the case. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said a statewide Amber Alert went out on June 16, one day after Summer was reported missing to the Hawkins County Sheriff's Office. Its the first official update in nearly a month. TBI officials also shared a dive team with the Sullivan County Sheriffs Office assisted in searching a body of water. The couples other children, three boys, have since been placed in Tennessee Department of Child Protective Services custody for reasons unrelated to Summers disappearance, local media reported last week. #TNAMBERAlert: The investigation into the disappearance of Summer Wells remains active and ongoing. We also encourage residents in that area to check out buildings, sheds, or any other possible space where she could have sought shelter. The TBI held a press conference Thursday at 4 p.m. after saying it would only hold pressers in the case of a big finding in Summers case. UPDATED 6/22/21 at 3:20 p.m. (ET) to include photos of the Incident Command Post and aerial photos of the search. |Find the latest coverage on Summer Wells as the search for the missing Rogersville girl continues. We are also aware of individuals asking for donations from the public under the pretense that they are assisting law enforcement in the search for Summer. She was reportedly last seen wearing grey pants, a pink shirt and was possibly barefoot. #SummerWells 1/6 pic.twitter.com/TjXSpDdVty. Call 1-800-TBI-FIND with info! The Hawkins County Sheriffs Office announced it will send officers to assist any residents who arent able to search those spaces themselves. 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. 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. The smallest detail could prove beneficial to the investigation. Whether a scam comes in the form or a ransom note or a fraudulent donation collection, Rader has advice for how to avoid losing money. David Rader is with Equusearch, an organization that goes around the country to help find missing people. Live with the latest on the TBI Amber Alert for the missing 5-year-old Hawkins Co. girl https://bit.ly/3gAH2NP. To request assistance residents are told to call 423-272-7121. WATCH: Second day of searching for Summer Wells has come to an end. Search crews continued searching the area by land and air while also starting to check surrounding ponds and creeks. Will additional searches be conducted? TBI officials said they are more concerned than ever about finding the child. This was the first time either of the parents spoke to members of the media. Yes, more than once, including the basement, crawl space, all vehicles, outbuildings, barrels, and other items located on the property. Obviously the ones that were out there searching, their physical stress was much more than the ones in the command staff, he said. In order to preserve the integrity of the investigation, we will not provide additional information regarding the timeline. She is 3 tall, 40 lbs., w/blonde hair and blue eyes, and was last seen wearing grey pants and a pink shirt. Anyone with credible information is urged to call 1-800-TBI-FIND. Call the @HawkinsCountySO at 423-272-7121 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND. Summer has blonde hair, blue eyes, stands 30, and weighs approximately 40 pounds. Here's are new images we've just obtained that may be more representative of her current hair length. UPDATED 6/18/21 at 10:05 p.m. (ET) to include the latest on the search for Summer Wells and the investigation into the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. Have you questioned neighbors and searched their properties? We want to assure everyone who has been part of this investigation or has been following this case that it is not cold. In January, as [] 3/6 pic.twitter.com/9ms6PhglnX, The TBI also stated they have executed multiple search warrants and have collected potential digital evidence.. WATCH LIVE: Murdaugh trial prosecutor gives closing arguments, Public File: publicfile@wsmv.com - 615-353-2260. In late June, the Church Hill Rescue Squad announced a reward fund for information leading to the discovery of Summers location. Additionally, drones were used to map the area and to pinpoint bodies of water as well as any other points of interest. The individual stated that the truck might have been parked 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 TBI held a media briefing Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Solomans Temple Missionary Baptist Church to provide an update on search efforts for Summer Wells. Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced they have received 221 leads since Summer Wells Went missing. Church-goers at the Kingsport Seventh-Day Adventist Church are keeping the family in their thoughts, Ryder said. I love her with all my heart. https://twitter.com/TBInvestigation/status/1405180461375164419?s=20, Hickman County Man Charged with Homicide, Attempted Homicide, Drug Investigation Results in Two Arrests, Drug Seizure, NOW HIRING: Want to put your administrative skills to good use to help protect and serve the state? She was 5 when she was reported missing, and would now be 6 years old. At the event, TBI officials addressed several frequently asked questions about the case. While investigators have been diligently working to find answers, theyve had to deal with hundreds of tips generated by false information that in some cases has been intentionally spread across social media platforms. LIVE: The TBI and Hawkins Co. authorities give important findings in Summer Wells case. Earhart addressed the move at a press event. TBI representatives confirmed that 128 officers from12 agencies, including two K9 teams, are involved in the search. Officials also confirmed that the search is still ongoing, and that Agents with the TBI and Hawkins County Detectives are still working to find the missing 5-year-old. In light of the circumstances surrounding Summer Moon-Utah Wells's disappearance, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has released a warning for vulnerable children. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced that it had received 137 tips as of Sunday afternoon. We continue to urge the public only to share information from official sources. The investigation into the disappearance of 5-year-old Summer Wells remains active and ongoing Thursday, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Hawkins County officials said the storms will change their approach but not their aggressiveness in searching. They took comp time, whatever they had to do. 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