Everybodys a person of interest till we find Summer, said Hawkins County Sheriff Ronnie Lawson. Update on the search for Summer Wells as bad weather moves into the area https://bit.ly/3gHxyBt. According to the protection order, Bly said Wells was mentally and physically abusive. Earhart also cautioned against misinformation and scams on social media, asking people to not submit tips based on YouTube videos or theories. Summer Wells has now been missing from the Beech Creek community in Hawkins County for two weeks and two days. The AMBER Alert lists the following details for Summer: Join News Channel 11 on Thursday for in-depth coverage of where the Summer Wells case stands, along with coverage of Don and Candus Wells appearance on the Dr. Phil Show Nov. 11-12. We want to assure everyone who has been part of this investigation or has been following this case that it is not cold. Her family reported last seeing the 5-year-old around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. "We want to be clear that we . Summer Wells disappeared last June. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was born as a result of a highly-publicized murder in Greene County in December of 1949. 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. Will Puckett is live now with the latest. 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. We are asking anyone who saw Summer at any time on Tuesday, June 15th, to come forward if they havent done so already. Have you questioned the parents? Should we develop new information that could help in locating Summer, we will notify the news media and the public immediately. UPDATED 8/4/21 The investigation into the circumstances leading to the disappearance of 5-year-old Summer Wells remains active and ongoing. 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. Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said search teams are continuing to focus on the area around Ben Hill Road. Unreliable cell service and difficult terrain was an obstacle for crews searching and the TBI asked that civilians leave the search to professionals to ensure the safety of everyone. If no leads or tips come in by December 31, the money will be donated to the Childrens Advocacy Center in Mosheim. Copyright 2021 WVLT. The 56-year-old was processed just after 12 a.m. on Sunday and released later that morning. She was reportedly last seen outside of her home in the Beech Creek community on Tuesday evening. Additionally, the photo was not released by law enforcement. UPDATED 11/10/21 - The investigation into the disappearance of 5-year-old Summer Wells remains active and ongoing. That center, in essence, serves most of the lower end of Hawkins County in our area, and actually that center was utilized during the search, he said. Shortly after that, an Endangered Child Alert was issued. 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. At the event, TBI officials addressed several frequently asked questions about the case. Why are flags at half-staff at the TN State Capitol? The misinformation and speculation simply dont help the case, an official from the TBI said. Don Wells, the father of missing 6-year-old Summer Wells, was arrested on Oct. 30 for driving under the influence, according to a report from WJHL. Officials said that the case is not considered a cold case yet, however, since agents and detectives are still searching for the missing girl. #TNAMBERAlert pic.twitter.com/8YpSASYdlp. On Thursday, crews began conducting line searches in the Beech Creek area of Hawkins County. Additionally, the entire area was canvased in an effort to locate any residential cameras that werent voluntarily reported. Yes. Hawkins County Sheriff Ronnie Lawson also spoke at the event, saying no other case at the office had ever lasted one year and involved so many man hours. As of Wednesday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has received 970 tips, but none have led to the little girl at the center of the Amber Alert. Authorities said Summers parents were upset about the situation and have been cooperative with law enforcement during the investigation. According to TBI, the FBI has joined the search for the missing 5-year-old. 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Schools see an increase in school threats, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Rose Marie Bly, Summers aunt, went missing in 2009. Yes, more than once, including the basement, crawl space, all vehicles, outbuildings, barrels, and other items located on the property. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has responded to an uptick in misinformation being spread online about Summer Wells, who went missing earlier this year. Click the link in our bio for the new charges. When asked to clarify about Don Wells and Candus Blys cooperation in the case, Earhart said the TBI did not want to characterize cooperation among the parents, saying that it leads to rumors and speculation. HAWKINS COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) announced Wednesday afternoon that the agency has seen a rise in the online spread of misinformation regarding the search for missing 5-year-old Summer Wells. According to the order of protection, Bly said Wells was abusive mentally and physically. Search crews continue to search for missing 5-year-old Summer Wells Wednesday. 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. A report from the Hawkins County Sheriffs office revealed that Summer Wells mother filed a trespassing complaint after a social media creator and five friends came to her property. Yes. TBI officials said the purpose of line searches is to ensure every since of ground has been covered, especially overgrown areas with fields and high grass. "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. The way that she just disappeared, she would never do that, Wells said in a written statement for CBS Affiliate WJHL. 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. 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. Tips can be emailed to TipsToTBI@tn.gov. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The Charlie Project, an organization that catalogs missing person cases, stated that Rose Bly was last seen in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, on Aug. 1, 2009. Summer Wells was reported missing from her home in the Beech Creek community of Hawkins County on June 15. 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. The search for missing 5-year-old Summer Wells continues Wednesday. Property owners in the Beech Creek area are also urged to check barns, crawl spaces, and other places a child could hide. The agency chose to upgrade the alert because of new information and growing concern.. Donald Wells was arrested on domestic assault charges in 2020. That strict number was the ones that were out searching on the ground in Beech Creek.. Should we develop new information that could help in locating Summer, we will notify the public immediately. David Rader is with Equusearch, an organization that goes around the country to help find missing people. You may not see the big fancy command vehicles, you may not see the 1,194 people trudging around in Beech Creek but we are the Sheriffs department, law enforcement, the TBI is still following up on leads, Coup said. The TBI confirmed it has received 730 tips so far, but none have resulted in a solid lead. 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. We want to be clear that were doing everything within our power to find her. Have you searched the home and property around the residence? More: https://bit.ly/3gW6crF. Additionally, agents and detectives continue to follow up on potential leads. Our number one goal is finding Summer. At the time she went missing, she was wearing gray pants, a pink shirt and may have been barefoot. Service drug evidence from all of East Tennessee. Today, February 4th, is Summer Wells 7th birthday. 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. At this time, thats just not the case., Earhart added that they have received nearly 50 leads so far, but none have panned out so far. And so, I went down there to check, and she was nowhere in sight.. Every detail is important. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Her parents believe Summer was abducted from their property. Saturday, the TBI asked for the publics assistance in locating a potential witness in the disappearance of Summer Wells. Live with the latest on the TBI Amber Alert for the missing 5-year-old Hawkins Co. girl https://bit.ly/3gAH2NP. Have you searched the phones and computers belonging to the Wells family? Anyone with credible information is asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND. Officials said, due to state confidentiality laws, there is little they can disclose regarding the investigation. 47 6 thatphanom.techno@gmail.com 042-532028 , 042-532027 pic.twitter.com/BOR5GhrUAM. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation provided another update on Thursday afternoon in the search for 5-year-old Summer Wells. 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. https://bit.ly/3hca3kz. #TNAMBERAlert pic.twitter.com/wjhTlv81fJ. A few days after Summers disappearance, the TBI announced it was investigating Don Wells claims that Summer had been abducted. It was Wells first DUI, but since the arrest violated previous probation, he was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days at the Hawkins Co. The search continues Monday for missing 5-year-old Summer Wells. 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 Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spoke with reporters on Thursday, however agents said much of the search remains the same as it did on Monday, when investigators last provided an update. 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. That was a decision I knew going in that there was a possibility I was going to have to make not knowing how many days, how many hours we were going to be up there searching for Summer, said Coup. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The TBI released new images of Summer to reflect that she now has shorter hair than the original photos depicted. Investigators will continue to search points of interest as they are developed as well as follow up on all tips regarding Summers whereabouts. According to her relatives, she had her last encounter with the 5-year-old child at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Yes, more than once, including the basement, crawl space, all vehicles, outbuildings, barrels, and other items located on the property. All possibilities are still being explored. These are just a few of the agencies that have assisted in the search for Summer Wells. We do not. Will Puckett is live now with more details. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND. Summer Moon-Utah Wells is 3-feet tall with blonde hair who is believed to be barefoot. 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. Written by on 27 febrero, 2023.Posted in christianity in the early 1900s.christianity in the early 1900s. Its against God, the father told Times News. At this time 77 agencies spanning across multiple states including Ohio, Alabama, Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina to assist in the search. Have you collected and reviewed surveillance video? 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. or redistributed. 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 investigation remains active and ongoing as TBI agents work alongside the Hawkins County Sheriffs Office and the FBI to determine what happened to Summer. Officials questioned drivers to see if they noticed anything out of the ordinary on the day Summer went missing. Bly later asked for a dismissal of the order of protection. If we do develop information that she was taken and we develop a suspect and a vehicle descriptionwe will share that immediately. |Find the latest coverage on Summer Wells as the search for the missing Rogersville girl continues. Tuesday marks one week since 5-year-old Summer Wells was reported missing. Today, February 4th, is Summer. TBI said many of the tips they have received are opinion and speculation which slow down the process. Dive teams were brought in to explore waterways in the area, and K9 teams specializing in a variety of search methods have been utilized. 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. pic.twitter.com/HihurzP6Wy. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced the investigation into the disappearance of Summer Wells, remains active and ongoing. Officials said, in order to preserve the integrity of the investigation they are unable to provide specific details. In late October of 2021, Don Wells was arrested for driving under the influence. The TBI continues to encourage people to submit any credible tips they may have in the case. 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. On Wednesday, TBI issued an AMBER Alert for Summer after initially issuing an Endangered Child Alert Tuesday night when she was reported missing. In late June, the Church Hill Rescue Squad announced a reward fund for information leading to the discovery of Summers location. UPDATED 11/15/22 The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Summer Wells remains active and ongoing. 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. How many ground searches have been conducted? Search efforts will continue on a more specialized team basis as needed and directed from local, state, and federal agencies. This includes social media accounts. Officials also asked nearby residences to check trail and security camera footage for any clues from Summer. While we do not discuss specifics about evidence gathered in an ongoing investigation, we can tell you that numerous search warrants have been executed, and any potential digital evidence has been collected. This has had a major impact on the investigation. Once everybody leaves over there, its a 20-minute drive from Beech Creek back to [The Church Hill Rescue Squad.] Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. A case earns this status when authorities decide theres a concern for the childs safety. Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced they have received 650 tips in the search for Summer Wells. According to TBI, 304 tips have come in, but none have resulted in a significant development in the case. Have you searched waterways in the area? An ongoing multi-agency investigation focusing on those trafficking deadly drugs into Knox County and surrounding areas has resulted in the seizure of more than two pounds of fentanyl, likely saving countless lives. Jail, where he remains, according to WJHL. Crews said they had searched more than 680 acres by the end of the day Thursday. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Please keep in mind that the Beech Creek area of Hawkins County is very rural, with few businesses and no traffic cameras. As of Tuesday, the account has $2,470 in it, but it does not include a $10,000 check and $25,000 check that are to be deposited if a credible tip leading to Summers return or recovery comes in. We have not stopped, Sheriff Lawson said. " When asked whether the boys are in state custody or with friends and relatives, Donald Wells told Times News, I cant answer any questions, buddy. Following the incident, Summer Wells mother, Candus Bly, filed for an order of protection against Wells. 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. Theres been very limited ground searching since the scaling back, said the incident commander of search operations, Captain Tim Coup. WVLT News spoke with the director of the Midwest EquuSearch chapter Dave Rader about their weekend search for Summer Wells. However, we havent given up, and we wont.. TBI officials said the agency continues to work alongside the Hawkins County Sheriff's Office and the FBI to search for answers in the case. The family was not the only group to take to YouTube during the case. 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