Gary Simpson picked up his 9-year-old niece from school, saying her dad had been in a car wreck - the two haven't been seen since, cops said.
An Amber Alert has been issued for a nine-year-old Tennessee girl picked up from school by her uncle, who said her father had been badly injured in a car accident, according to police.
Carlie Trent, who has blond hair and blue eyes, was last seen Wednesday afternoon leaving with Gary Simpson, 57, who had signed parental permission to collect the child at her elementary school, said a spokesperson for the Rogersville Police Department.
Read: Police Determined to Find Killer of Child Whose Murder 20 Years Ago Inspired Amber Alerts
The pair have not been seen since then. The Amber Alert was issued Thursday, as was a warrant for Simpson's arrest on suspicion of kidnapping.
The uncle had previously picked up the child from school, and officials said employees followed proper procedure Wednesday in allowing Simpson to fetch Carlie because written permission was on file allowing him to do so.
NEW PICTURES: #AmberAlert suspect Gary Simpson at Walmart in Rogersville yesterday PM. Spot him? 1-800-TBI-FIND! pic.twitter.com/KB5k5KY2M3
— Josh DeVine (@TBIJoshDeVine) May 5, 2016
In a statement, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesman Josh DeVine said the child had been picked up "under false pretenses." Simpson "has no custodial rights to Carlie. Currently, their whereabouts are unknown," he said.
Simpson is the girl's uncle by marriage, authorities said.
Read: Cops: A Schoolgirl Escapes After College Student Holds Her Captive For 2 Years
He was seen on surveillance video Wednesday evening outside a Walmart in Rogersville, authorities said.
The two left Carlie's school in a white 2002 Dodge Conversion van with Tennessee plates 173GPS.
NEW PICTURE: This is the van believed to be driven by Gary Simpson, suspect in our #AMBERAlert. TN TAG: 173GPS. pic.twitter.com/1bROPsSd46
— Josh DeVine (@TBIJoshDeVine) May 5, 2016
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