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Toddler Apparently Vanished In December — But Her Disappearance Was Only Reported This Week
The amount of time that has passed without any sight of Evelyn Mae Boswell is "hindering a lot of our investigation," an official said.
Tennessee authorities have issued a state-wide Amber Alert for a 15-month-old toddler who has been missing for months, investigating multiple leads given the fact that the girl's disappearance was not reported immediately.
Evelyn Mae Boswell hasn’t been seen since Dec. 26, her family said, according to the Bristol Herald Courier. "Certain family members” haven’t seen the toddler since the day after Christmas, authorities said, and a babysitter last saw Evelyn in early December.
The state-wide alert was announced on Wednesday evening, officials said. The child’s grandfather was the first to report Evelyn as missing.
On Friday morning, Sullivan County authorities announced that they possibly had identified a “person of interest.” Individuals traveling in a gray 2007 BMW with front-end damage could have information related to Evelyn's whereabouts, and law enforcement said the vehicle’s license plate number is 3M9-6W9 and is registered in Tennessee.
So far, there have been few other clues regarding the toddler’s mysterious disappearance — or why it it took nearly two months for the disappearance to be reported by the child’s family.
The passage of time has obscured the police investigation into the missing toddler, authorities said,
“That’s our main worry,” Sullivan County Sheriff Jeff Cassidy told reporters on Friday. “This is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. We usually have to act really quick and usually [on a] one hour or two hour basis... but we’re talking two months, and it’s hindering a lot of our investigation.”
The child’s parents, Megan “Maggie” Boswell and Ethan Perry are “involved” in the investigation, although Perry — who an active duty member of the U.S. military — is currently stationed in Louisiana, Sullivan County authorities said at a press conference on Friday, according to an ABC affiliate.
Authorities wouldn’t say if Megan Boswell is a suspect in the case.
“We’re not disregarding anybody as a suspect at this time,” Cassidy added.
The child’s father, who claimed he’s cooperating with detectives, posted a plea to his Facebook followers regarding the case on Wednesday.
“I’m currently working with authorities trying to find Evelyn,” Perry said. “I can’t say much more than that at the moment. If anybody knows anything please message me.”
Megan Boswell was seen leaving the Sullivan County courthouse on Friday morning, the Herald Courier reported. Trailed by reporters into a parking lot, Boswell did not speak and refused to answer questions from the media.
“Do you know where Evelyn is? Why didn’t you report her missing?” reporters repeatedly asked the woman before she got into a silver sedan.
The 15-month-old missing toddler is believed to have been last seen wearing a pink tracksuit, pink shoes, and a pink bow. Evelyn has blond hair, blue eyes, is approximately two feet tall and weighs 28 pounds, authorities said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is also assisting local agencies with the missing child’s investigation.
Police tip lines have received nearly 100 phone calls since being set up on Wednesday, according to the Bristol Herald Courier. The investigation is ongoing as detectives continue to follow up on phone tips.
“All leads have and will continue to be followed up on,” Cassidy said. “We are continuing to interview anybody that may have any information on the whereabouts of Evelyn.”
Anyone who may have information related to the toddler’s whereabouts are encouraged to contact the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office at 423-279-7330 or the TBI Tennessee Bureau of investigation 1-800-TBI-FIND.
