TBI scaling back search efforts in the search for Summer Wells due to the difficult terrain exhausting crews. Summer has blonde hair, blue eyes, stands 30, and weighs approximately 40 pounds. Summer Wells (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation) The sheriff said they have not ruled out a walk off, abduction, or other foul means in connection to her disappearance. Her mother reports last seeing her on the afternoon of June 15th at their home in the 100 block of Ben Hill Road. The rugged mountainous terrain continues to cause problems. Dozens of registered sex offenders in Carroll County received surprise visits from teams of officers as part of a multi-agency compliance operation this week dubbed Operation Walter Browning. Her family reported last seeing the 5-year-old around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. On Feb. 7, Don Wells pleaded guilty to a DUI charge he was arrested for on Oct. 30. An AMBER Alert remains active until a child is located. Once everybody leaves over there, its a 20-minute drive from Beech Creek back to [The Church Hill Rescue Squad.] All rights reserved. Its against God, the father told Times News. The service of those in Beech Creek is invaluable and hard to put a price tag on but Coup did break it down to give some perspective from his agencys assistance. He is still in touch with the different groups who assisted from across Tennessee and other states and says they are ready for when the call comes. Authorities said Summers parents were upset about the situation and have been cooperative with law enforcement during the investigation. Please keep in mind that the Beech Creek area of Hawkins County is very rural, with few businesses and no traffic cameras. Don Wells also said that TBI investigators had searched his home as part of the investigation and told WVLT News that the 5-year-old was not the first member of the family to go missing. He has since been released. Search efforts will continue on a more specialized team basis as needed and directed from local, state, and federal agencies. This slows search operations down in these areas but rest assured, while encountering these conditions, we are still searching with an aggressive approach with extreme attention to detail, the Church Hill Rescue Squad stated in post on Facebook. WVLT News spoke with the director of the Midwest EquuSearch chapter Dave Rader about their weekend search for Summer Wells. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Public Information Officer Leslie Earhart said the circumstances leading to Summer Wells' disappearance "remain unclear, " but investigators continue to . Police asking for the publics assistance in locating a potential witness in the disappearance of Summer https://bit.ly/3hh4f7U. Those searches dont account for the numerous other targeted searches that agents and detectives have done while following up on potential leads. Why did you release information about a Toyota Truck? Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced Summer Wells is still missing during a Monday afternoon press conference. The TBI continues to encourage people to submit any credible tips they may have in the case. The Hawkins County Sheriffs Department shared an update on Facebook. As of Wednesday, Coup is still working with authorities as tips come in and is in touch with those who assisted from in and out of state. Summer is described as being a white female with short blonde hair and blue eyes. UPDATED 11/4/21 TBI agents continue to work with the Hawkins County Sheriffs Office and the FBI in an effort to determine what happened to Summer Wells. Unreliable cell phone service and rugged terrain caused issues for search parties, and crews asked people to clear the area to help professionals ensure everyones safety. 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.. If you are the driver of this truck, please contact us. LIVE: The TBI and Hawkins Co. authorities give important findings in Summer Wells case. In addition to air and land searches, ponds and creeks are also being checked.Call 1-800-TBI-FIND with information. Click the link in our bio for the new charges. The TBI tweeted that the agency is doing everything within [its] power to find [Summer], adding that the lack of answers and developments in the case is frustrating to all investigators who continue the search. We are asking residents who live in the area of Ben Hill Road to please check any trail cameras or surveillance cameras they may have for video or photos of Summer. When asked if Summers parents had been ruled out as suspects, TBI officials said the situation is still under investigation and all possibilities are being considered. In order to preserve the integrity of the investigation, we will not provide additional information regarding the timeline. Yes. UPDATED 6/22/21 at 3:20 p.m. (ET) to include photos of the Incident Command Post and aerial photos of the search. As the early stages of the search progressed, TBI and Hawkins County officials called in 19 other agencies to assist. No one is more frustrated than us by the lack of answers at this stage. On Monday, TBI released new details in the case. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. TBI tweeted out photos of the terrain involved in the search area for Summer Wells Thursday afternoon. While we do not discuss specifics about evidence gathered in an ongoing investigation, we are doing everything within our power to find Summer. WVLT News is also in the process of reaching out to The Department of Childrens Services to find out more about the role it is playing in the investigation. 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. Hawkins County officials later revealed Don Wells had been arrested on domestic assault charges in 2020. Hawkins County Sheriff Ronnie Lawsonsaid more than 100 first responders were combing the areas near Summers home, which is about 15 miles southwest of Kingsport. Yes. Copyright 2021 WVLT. Oct 2017 - Present5 years 6 months. The investigation remains active and ongoing, as TBI agents and detectives with the Hawkins County Sheriffs Office continue to work alongside the FBI in an effort to determine what happened to Summer. We would like to speak with you to confirm this information and ask what you may have heard or seen at the time. Some go as far as to solicit donations. The search for missing 5-year-old Summer Wells continues Wednesday. The THP helicopter logged 30 hours of flight. Earhart also was unable to confirm if Summers brothers, who were taken into DCS custody late last year, were still separated from the family. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, The agency also asked people to check their properties for signs of the child. Weve collected surveillance photos and videos from a variety of locations. Market data provided by Factset. Five days later, her car was discovered 30 miles away in a parking lot. If you have any knowledge of or information on the whereabouts of Summer Wells, please call the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 800-TBI-FIND (800-824-3463) or send tips to TipsToTBI@tn.gov. The TBI revealed it had no suspects in the case and no vehicle description. However, please understand that we cannot share specifics about the investigation itself, as it is ongoing. According to TBI, 304 tips have come in, but none have resulted in a significant development in the case. At the event, TBI officials addressed several frequently asked questions about the case. The family is also asking for direct tips via their website findsummerwells.com. Weve collected surveillance photos and videos from a variety of locations. UPDATED 6/26/21 at 4:25 p.m. (ET) As weve previously mentioned, we have been working around the clock to identify anyone who may have been in the area around the time 5-year-old Summer Wells disappeared to determine what they may have seen or heard, no matter how insignificant it may have seemed to them at the time. pic.twitter.com/0UfTV9S06n. The channel has four videos on it, most of which feature Wells and Bly as they talk briefly about the efforts put forth in the search. The search for missing 5-year-old Summer Wells entered its third week Tuesday. WVLT's Will Puckett gives the latest as the child's father speaks out for the first time. Yes. To date, weve received well over 2,000 tips. Yes. Four months after Summers disappearance, her parents created a YouTube channel dedicated to thanking the community for their efforts. Have you questioned neighbors and searched their properties? Teams have been focusing on previously identified areas of interest, officials stated on social media. In essence, in 48-72 hours we had a full-state notification and had people called in from multiple states away from here, said Coup. Have you searched the flower bed? At that time, no one imagined we would still be searching for her a year later. One year after the girl went missing, Summers father, Don Wells, released a statement. Numerous searches from the air have been completed, especially during the first few weeks after Summer went missing. The TBI asked community members of the Ben Hill Road area to check their surveillance and/or trail cameras for videos or photos of Summer. It will postpone those things from being done, but Im fine with that, he said. Have you questioned registered sex offenders in the area? ", 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. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was born as a result of a highly-publicized murder in Greene County in December of 1949. She has not been located.Call 1-800-TBI with info! That didnt include the command staff, that didnt include the logistics, that didnt include TBI, FBI. The simple fact of the family and other rescuers and everything is there has been no outcome. Yes. As of Wednesday evening, authorities have received approximately 30 tips as part of the ongoing search for 5-year-old Summer Wells. ROGERSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) On June 15, 2021, around 6:30 p.m., 5-year-old Summer Wells was reported missing. 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. CHURCH HILL, Tenn. (WJHL)- Its been more than four weeks since five-year-old Summer Wells was last seen at her home on Ben Hill Road in the Beech Creek Community of Hawkins County. Wells said he believed Summer was abducted but the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation still has no evidence to confirm that. She further clarified that several targeted searches had been conducted over the course of the investigation. Teams have searched approximately 3,000 acres, utilizing all resources available. Three months missing, here's what we know about the search 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. Is there evidence that Summer was abducted? Additionally, neighborhood canvases were conducted in an effort to make sure we didnt miss any residential cameras. #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. Click below to read the latest on the investigation. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. TBI officials also shared a dive team with the Sullivan County Sheriffs Office assisted in searching a body of water. Summers brothers have been interviewed along with others who stayed in the home in the months before her disappearance. If nothing else, Ill see her in the resurrection.. Legal Statement. 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? This slows search operations down in these areas but rest assured while encountering these conditions, we are still searching with an aggressive approach with extreme attention to detail, the Church Hill Rescue Squad stated in post on Facebook. The Hawkins County Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation continue to work alongside the FBI to determine what happened to Summer. WATCH: We thought we'd take a few minutes to update you on the search for Summer Wells, the five-year-old from Hawkins County who was reported missing on June 15th and remains the subject of a #TNAMBERAlert.Bottom line: We haven't given up, and we won't. Have you searched waterways in the area? The TBI, in the cases FAQ page, said it had developed no evidence at this stage pointing to a kidnapping. Yes, working alongside the Hawkins County Sheriffs Office and the FBI, numerous subpoenas and search warrants have been obtained, resulting in any available digital evidence being collected, searched, and documented. A TBI spokesperson said that they had received over 1,900 tips. The TBIs fixed-wing search helicopter had also logged a combined 21.2 hours of flight in the search, which was facing problems with the terrain. 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. However, we havent given up, and we wont.. If it means me paying out of my pocket to make sure these trucks are going on calls, Ill do it.. That equals $75,573.92 worth of time spent by a volunteer.. Search efforts will continue on a more specialized team basis as needed and directed from local, state, and federal agencies. This total is from the two large ($25,000 and $10,000) donations of $35,000.00 at the beginning of the reward fund to open and start the reward fund. The investigation remains ongoing at this time. Many of you are asking if we have a suspect or vehicle description. The driver has not come forward, nor have the hundreds of vehicles reported to us as matching the description panned out. Please continue to follow this thread for additional information. Additionally, in the first week, the FBI Child Abduction Rapid Deployment (CARD) team responded to the area. More than 100 agencies have contributed to search efforts. Months later, she remains missing, but the Hawkins County Sheriffs Office says the case remains a priority and investigators continue to follow up on tips. Hawkins County Sheriffs Office officials provided an update on the investigation and search for Summer Wells Sunday. 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. The driver has been described as a possible witness. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The search is planned to continue through Wednesday. 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. Investigators said they have questioned many individuals including drivers who were seen in the area at the time of the childs disappearance, but there is no proof that Summer was abducted. Investigative work continues to occur almost daily. Copyright 2022 WVLT. The agency is still investigating the circumstances leading to the 5-year-olds disappearance. To date, weve received approximately 1,500 tips. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has been collaborating with the Hawkins County Sheriff's Office on the case, and is working to determine the truth behind summer's disappearance. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation) MISSING 5-YEAR-OLD SUMMER WELLS: REWARD REACHES . The tip count remains at around 1,500, according to the TBI. pic.twitter.com/6NVbmkhXRw. Pastor David rider said he is struggling because the AMBER Alert case has created a sense of hopelessness for the family. Officials said canine teams specializing in air scent, trailing/tracking and cadaver dogs are all being used in the search efforts. Incoming severe weather is a concern for search crews, according to officials. We are not going to stop until we find Summer, Sheriff Lawson said. 9 Summer is pictured with her mother Candus Credit: Facebook / Donald Wells 9 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 Tennessee Bureau of Investigation provided another update on Thursday afternoon in the search for 5-year-old Summer Wells. When asked if Summers parents were suspects in the missing person case, TBI officials said they had not ruled out any possibility. The flowers were planted in pots, and yes, the pots were examined. At a media briefing, Hawkins County Sheriffs Office officials said investigators had not identified any suspects or vehicles of interest. Officials said that Summers AMBER Alert is still active and her case is not considered a cold case. He said the area is very dense, a hard area to search with very little radio communication possible. If we do develop information that she was taken and we develop a suspect and a vehicle descriptionwe will share that immediately. Were looking, An investigation that began in 2021 has resulted in the arrest of a Florida man in connection to the death of his s, A former Perry County deputy has been booked on charges of official misconduct and aggravated rape. Additionally, agents and detectives continue to follow up on potential leads. None that weve developed at this stage. TBI agents, working alongside the Hawkins County Sheriffs Office and the FBI, have conducted nearly 170 interviews during the investigation. Officials said, due to state confidentiality laws, there is little they can disclose regarding the investigation. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. On Wednesday, TBI issued an AMBER Alert for Summer after initially issuing an Endangered Child Alert Tuesday night when she was reported missing. The organization announced that crews would be in the Hawkins County area the weekend of July 24, and asked those that see them to refrain from posting about the search. The website also contains several pictures of the girl and quotes from her family. Hawkins County detectives and TBI agents are still actively investigating the disappearance of 5-year-old Summer Wells. Wednesday marked three months since Summer Wells first went missing. In order to preserve the integrity of the investigation, we will not provide additional information regarding the timeline. WVLT News was on the scene the entire day in Hawkins County, covering updates as soon as they happened. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. We can tell you that agents and detectives have worked thousands of hours on this case. UPDATED 11/15/22 The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Summer Wells remains active and ongoing. Will Puckett gives a recap on everything we know about the disappearance of Summer Wells WVLT News spoke to Don Wells Friday. 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. Both have been questioned. #SummerWells 1/6 pic.twitter.com/TjXSpDdVty. meigs county tn police reports. By the end of the day, authorities had received 30 tips relating to the girls disappearance. WATCH: Second day of searching for Summer Wells has come to an end. LIVE: She needs to be found. The non-profit search team, Equusearch Midwest, returns to aid in the search for missing Summer Wells, 5, out of Hawkins County. 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