Amidst the ongoing quest for a missing 5-year-old Tennessee girl, now in its third week, investigators express their desire to converse with a "potential witness" who may possess pertinent observations or auditory perceptions. Young Summer Moon-Utah Wells was officially declared missing to the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 15, as disclosed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Subsequently, an AMBER Alert was swiftly issued the following day. Notably, a Toyota pickup truck was spotted in the vicinity of Beech Creek Road and Ben Hill Road — a rural intersection in Hawkins County — during the late afternoon to early evening hours on either June 14 or the 15th, as confirmed by authorities.
"The pickup truck is believed to be a 1998-2000 maroon or red Toyota Tacoma, featuring a full bed ladder rack alongside white buckets in the truck bed," detailed the TBI. "Regrettably, the driver of this vehicle remains unidentified. Consequently, we urge said driver to contact us at 1-800-TBI-FIND. We earnestly seek your cooperation to corroborate these details and provide any relevant insights or observations from that timeframe. Should you be the operator of this truck, please get in touch with us."
It's imperative to note that the driver is not considered a suspect but rather, a "potential witness who may possess crucial information aiding our pursuit of Summer."
This represents the sole lead publicly disclosed by the TBI amidst the ongoing search efforts, albeit at a more restrained pace.
"Bring my grandchild home," pleaded Summer’s grandmother, Candus Harer, in a statement conveyed to Johnson City, Tenn. CBS affiliate WJHL-TV. "She is a delightful child, and we are deeply appreciative of everyone involved in the search for her. We scoured every inch, calling out her name fervently. Yet, she remains elusive. It is utterly heart-wrenching." Summer’s mother, Candus Bly, recounted her daughter's disappearance from their residence. "My mother and I were tending to the garden, and after washing our hands, [Summer] received a treat from her grandmother," she recounted to WJHL. "Desiring to reunite with her brothers, [Summer] expressed her wish, to which I consented, escorting her to the porch. I observed her proceed into the kitchen where her siblings were engrossed in television."
She entrusted the boys with keeping an eye on Summer, she recounted. Upon returning later, she inquired about Summer's whereabouts. The boys indicated she had descended to the playroom to indulge in her toys.
"I accepted this response. Yet, upon calling out her name downstairs, receiving no reply, I grew concerned. It was unlike her not to respond. Hence, I descended to check, only to find her nowhere in sight," she narrated.
Both she and Summer’s father, Don Wells, are convinced that the child was abducted.
"She would never venture far from our abode," affirmed the father to the media. "I suspect someone clandestinely seized her. I doubt she remains in the vicinity, as our dog's trail ends at the roadside. However, I cannot assert this with certainty. The abruptness of her disappearance is inexplicable; she would never depart willingly."
Regarding the TBI, they concede that the circumstances surrounding the disappearance remain nebulous.
"Should evidence arise indicating abduction, along with particulars regarding suspects and vehicles, we shall promptly disseminate this information to the public," declared the investigatory agency in an online communiqué. "Given the ongoing nature of this investigation, we are unable to divulge specifics. Nonetheless, we wish to reassure the populace that TBI agents and Hawkins County detectives are exhaustively exploring all conceivable avenues to elucidate the circumstances surrounding the 5-year-old's disappearance."
Summer was described by the TBI as possessing blonde hair, blue eyes, standing at a height of 3’0″, and weighing approximately 40 pounds.
"She was reportedly attired in grey trousers, a pink blouse, and potentially barefoot," they specified.
Authorities have urged residents in the vicinity of Ben Hill Road to scrutinize any trail or surveillance footage they may possess capturing Summer.
"Additionally, we implore residents to inspect buildings, sheds, or any plausible refuge where she might have sought shelter," authorities urged. Anyone possessing pertinent information is urged to contact the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND, the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office at (423) 272-7121
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