AMBER Alert SUMMER WELLS: Missing from Rogersville, TN - 15 June 2021 - Age 5

AMBER Alert: Search continues for missing 5-year-old Summer Wells

Sheriff’s Office officials are asking for help in locating her.

www.wbrc.com

AMBER Alert issued for missing 5-year-old out of Hawkins Co.​

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued a statewide AMBER Alert for a missing 5-year-old girl from Rogersville in Hawkins County Wednesday morning.

Officials with the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to WVLT News that Summer Moon-Utah Wells went missing Tuesday night. Sheriff’s Office officials are asking for the public’s help locating the child.

Summer Wells has blonde hair and was last seen wearing grey shorts and a pink shirt on Ben Hill road, officials said. She has been missing since 7 p.m. Tuesday.

TBI officials said Summer Wells may now have shorter hair than that pictured in earlier alerts.

SUMMER WELLS has been missing from Rogersville, #TENNESSEE since 15 June 2021 - Age 5

Summer was last seen walking away from her home on Ben Hill Road, off Beech Creek Road, at around 7 p.m.

www.crimewatchers.net

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Parents of Summer Wells raise concerns about DCS care of their sons

Don Wells raises concerns online about being kept from his sons, who are in DCS custody.

www.johnsoncitypress.com

Parents of Summer Wells raise concerns about DCS care of their sons​

The parents of Summer Wells have raised concerns online about being kept out of contact with their sons, who are in the Department of Children’s Services custody.


On Sunday, Jan. 16, Don and Candus Wells posted on the family’s blog at findsummerwells.com, titled “the last straw,” claiming that DCS is keeping them from contacting their sons.

“It doesn’t matter what people think of us,” Don stated. “After nine months, I return to the loss of everything. My wife and I strip the house and start to rebuild our lives from scratch, and what is the first thing DCS does? They tell us we can no longer see or call our boys.”

Don then calls out DCS for their treatment of his family.

“Here we are, an Amber Alert family,” Don stated. “Our daughter Summer is still missing, and DCS won’t let us talk to our own boys, her brothers? It may seem like a harsh word, but the DCS have kidnapped our boys. If they treat us, American Citizens, this way concerning our boys — no communication!? — then what chance do we have of ever seeing Summer again if she is found!!?”

In the post, Don mentions recent articles about DCS and talks about the state of the DCS system. He also talks about how others should be outraged by this as well.

“This broken system cash cow must have, we ask, everyone who loves Summer Moon-Utah Wells to cry out as her voice in a demonstration to the State of Tennessee that this is wrong beyond wrong what they are doing to children and their families,” Don stated. “Yes, on the personal side, we see no reason they have stripped us of all communication with our boys.”

Don said he believes Summer would want them to fight for her brothers.

“But the picture is much, much bigger than us,” Don stated. “Say what you want about us, but the DCS system is broken, and Summer would tell us to fight for the sake of her brothers as well as all the children in these articles that we will be posting.”

Near the end of the post, Don said they would no longer remain quiet.

“It has been one year since we went quiet,” Don stated. “That ends. We are sick of it all.”

At the end of the post, Don includes a song titled “Naturally, We’re Sick Of It All,” which he said explains how they feel as parents in this situation. Several links to articles about DCS were also attached to the post.

Leslie Earhart, a public information officer for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, said the case is ongoing. Still, no new information is available at this time.

Parents of Summer Wells say DCS has 'kidnapped our boys'

Don Wells raises concerns online about being kept from his sons, who are in DCS custody.

www.timesnews.net

Parents of Summer Wells say DCS has 'kidnapped our boys'​

The parents of Summer Wells have raised concerns online about being kept from contact with their sons, who are in the custody of the Department of Children’s Services.

Summer, who was 5 at the time, was reported missing on June 15, 2021. Her three older brothers were removed from the home by DCS over a month later, around July 26.

At the time, no exact reason was given for the removal. However, Summer’s father, Don Wells, mentioned in an interview at that time that his home wasn’t safe due to the increased public interest in the case.

On Jan. 16, in a post titled “the last straw” on the family’s blog at findsummerwells.com, Don and Candus Wells claim that DCS is keeping them from contacting their sons.

 

[kdg411]

Does anyone know why DCS took custody of their other children?

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Does anyone know why DCS took custody of their other children?

DCS and LE have not publicly said. And they won't. Don said -

"Right now, it’s not safe at my house,” Donald Wells told the Kingsport Times-News Monday. “There’s too much going on and people are crazier than hell, and right now it’s just not safe at my house. There’s too much going on. Too many crazy people coming around trying to start stuff.

Wells nightmare worsens as boys removed

ROGERSVILLE – A sad situation was made sadder last week when the Beech Creek household already missing Summer Wells lost her three brothers, as well.

www.therogersvillereview.com

On Monday the Times News spoke to Summer’s father, Donald Wells, who wouldn’t discuss specifics about why the boys were removed from their home by the Department of Children’s services except to say it’s not safe there. Department of Children’s Services removals aren’t a a public record.

Watch now: Summer Wells' brothers removed from home by DCS, dad says 'It's not safe at my house'

Monday morning the Times News spoke to Summer's father, Donald Wells, who wouldn't discuss specifics about why the boys were removed except to say it's not safe at his home

www.johnsoncitypress.com

 

[MamaDee943]

The 'no contact' thing bothers me. The boys should be allowed to at least talk to their mom and dad, but for some reason they are not. Yes, the system is broken, has been for years and not likely to fix itself.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

The 'no contact' thing bothers me. The boys should be allowed to at least talk to their mom and dad, but for some reason they are not. Yes, the system is broken, has been for years and not likely to fix itself.

Unless they believe their parents are manipulating them to say certain things about Summer, it’s inexcusable. Even then, monitored calls and visits should be allowed. There are parents with literal murder charges who are allowed contact with their children.

 

[MamaDee943]

I think it is a shame keeping them from having any contact. These are kids! No kid wants to be separated from their parents. What possible harm is there by at least letting them talk to them. And I really hope they are together and not separated from each other, Bad enough to lose their sister, but there could be deeper problems.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Summer Wells’ father speaks out for first time since jail release

HAWKINS COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Donald Wells spoke on camera for the first time since he was released from jail three months ago. An Amber Alert for his daughter, Summer Wells, remains active 19 mon…

www.wjhl.com

Summer Wells’ father speaks out for first time since jail release​

Donald Wells spoke on camera for the first time since he was released from jail three months ago. An Amber Alert for his daughter, Summer Wells, remains active 19 months after it was first issued.

“We have to prepare ourselves for a worst-case scenario. You know, we could always hope for a good scenario,” Donald Wells said.



Wells told News Channel 11 that their three older children were in touch with his wife, Candus, while he was in jail. We asked if something changed when he was released.

“The only thing that changed is suddenly I wasn’t, we weren’t allowed to contact them at all,” he said.

And since he was released from jail, Wells says it has been a challenge to gain custody back.

“[DCS is] doing nothing to help us. In fact, they’re making us jump through all kinds of hoops, which is almost impossible to jump through all of them and hold a job and do all these things and making it real, real tough on us,” said Wells.

Wells told us he is no longer working for his previous employer and had to find work out of state.

“I don’t know if exactly fired or whatever would be the right term, but they don’t want the drama from YouTubers out there,” said Wells. “They’re trying to build houses. They’re trying to sell houses. And they, of course, don’t want that kind of drama on the job sites. I really don’t blame them for that.”


Another challenge has been his wife’s health.

“Candus has been in the emergency room four times for heart problems. And we’re looking at eventually doing major surgery, hopefully, to correct the problem with her heart,” he said.

“She’s doing better. I think but all the stress and stuff are not helping at all.”

This weekend marks Summer’s seventh birthday, a time when he will wonder what she would be like now.

“I don’t really want to celebrate her birthday without her,” Wells said. “She was definitely going to be tall, probably as tall as me, I’d say because she was growing so fast. I’m sure she would be the same person. And she didn’t have any qualms about taking on her brothers, that’s for sure. She didn’t hesitate to put them in their place real quick.”

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

'Definitely not a cold case': Investigation continues as missing Summers Wells' 7th birthday arrives

Saturday marks the 7th birthday of Summer Wells, and nearly 20 month since she was reported missing, but Hawkins County Sheriff Ronnie Lawson said the case has’t gone cold.

www.therogersvillereview.com

'Definitely not a cold case': Investigation continues as missing Summers Wells' 7th birthday arrives​

Saturday marks the 7th birthday of Summer Wells, and nearly 20 month since she was reported missing, but Hawkins County Sheriff Ronnie Lawson said the case has’t gone cold.

“There’s not a day that goes by that we don’t check up on something on this case,” Lawson told the Review Wednesday. “It’s definitely not a cold case, and everything is still on the table. Nobody wants to find her more than we do.”

Lawson noted, however that there is not a lot of new informaton or credible new leads.

“February 4th, is Summer Wells’ 7th birthday,” Earhart said. “She’s now been missing for nearly 20 months. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Summer Wells remains active and ongoing. While we are frustrated at the lack of answers, we haven’t given up, and we won’t.”

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Court declares entirety of Summer Wells Reward Fund to go to Child Advocacy Center

HAWKINS COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – The Hawkins County Chancery Court has declared a judgment in the fate of the Summer Wells Reward Fund. The fund, which totals $40,365.73, was created and manage…

www.wjhl.com

Court declares entirety of Summer Wells Reward Fund to go to Child Advocacy Center​

The Hawkins County Chancery Court has declared a judgment in the fate of the Summer Wells Reward Fund.

The fund, which totals $40,365.73, was created and managed by the Church Hill Rescue Squad in 2021 after then-5-year-old Summer Wells was reported missing from her home in the Beech Creek community. The fund was created in an effort to provide a reward in exchange for information that led to the discovery of Summer.

Initially, the fund was set to expire in six months after it was created, at which time the funds would be donated to the Child Advocacy Center of the Third Judicial District if Summer had not been found. That term was later extended by an additional six months.

In June 2022, the rescue squad filed a lawsuit asking the court to determine who would receive the funds. The lawsuit listed Summer’s parents, Candus Bly and Donald Wells, as defendants, as well as the Children’s Advocacy Center and one other individual.

Summer’s parents were later dropped as defendants, and a spokesperson for the family said in a statement that they wished to remain separate from the fund.

Court documents state that notice was sent to all defendants in the lawsuit along with a summons. According to a judgment from the court, the Children’s Advocacy Center was the only defendant to file and answer requesting to receive the funds.

The court found that due to the center’s response and the rescue squad’s lack of objection, the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Third Judicial District will be the sole beneficiary of the Summer Wells Reward Fund. The advocacy center, which aids abused children in Tennessee, will receive the full $40,365.73.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Nearly $40K in Summer Wells reward funds delivered to Child Advocacy Center

If one positive thing has come out of the Summer Wells disappearance nightmare, it is the $39,774 check presented Thursday to an organization dedicated to serving children like Summer and

www.therogersvillereview.com

Nearly $40K in Summer Wells reward funds delivered to Child Advocacy Center​

If one positive thing has come out of the Summer Wells disappearance nightmare, it is the $39,774 check presented Thursday to an organization dedicated to serving children like Summer and her brothers.

On Thursday Church Hill Rescue Squad Chief Tim Coup presented a check to the Third Judicial District Child Advocacy Center (CAC) at its Rogersville office.

The CAC serves children who are victims of abuse in Hawkins, Greene, Hamblen and Hancock counties. It’s a privately funded, nonprofit agency, and executive director
Deana Hicks said the $39,774 check presented by Coup Thursday was the single largest donation her agency has ever received.

That check was the unclaimed donations intended to serve as a reward to anyone with information that led to Summer’s recovery.


“The Department of Children’s Services and Child Advocacy Center do so much more than people realize,” Coup added. “My eyes were opened quite a bit in just that two-week stint we were there, on what type of services they provide.”

Hicks said the CAC is incredibly grateful for the contribution.

“We are providing direct services to children and their families when there are child abuse allegations,” Hicks said. “Particularly allegations involving what Tennessee would call severe abuse — when a child has been sexually abused, severely physically abused, methamphetamine exposure, prenatally exposed — the abuse that’s going to cause the most trauma in their lives.”

Hicks added, “We’re providing these specialized services with highly trained individuals, in a safe, comfortable, child-friendly setting. When those kids come in, that’s child’s only job is to start being a kid again.”

Hicks and Coup both echoed the sentiment that they are still hopeful and optimistic that a tip will come in that brings Summer home safely.

“Until that day comes that we can find Summer and put that case to rest, that money will be used directly to make sure kids have a safe environment,” Hicks said. “This is huge. This is the largest single donation our agency has ever received. We are a small agency. We have five employees, and we serve about 700 kids per year from our four counties. This will be put to good use.”

 

[GrandmaBear]

It is really tough to know what to think here. Don says Candus had contact with the kids right up to when he got home and then no more contact. That seems to indicate something IF true and IF his being out and back is the reason...

Not sure I trust anything in that area with the money.

I don't know if DCFS has a good reason or fair one or not re the kids but it also could be based on the kids and what they have said. Maybe they were fine with contact with Candus but not with Don. How could we possibly know...?

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Don Wells, TBI talk about Summer Wells ahead of second anniversary of disappearance

As the second anniversary of Summer Wells disappearance approaches both her father, Don Wells and law enforcement talk about the case.

www.timesnews.net

Don Wells, TBI talk about Summer Wells ahead of second anniversary of disappearance​

As the two-year anniversary of the disappearance of 5-year-old Summer Wells approaches, her family and law enforcement continue to think about her.

As the anniversary of her disappearance grows, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Summer’s father speak out about the case.


Wells told the Times News that during the search for Summer, a police dog tracked her scent to the road.

“All we know is that one of the police dogs followed her scent for the road and that’s absolutely all we have," Wells said in an interview this week. "I mean, there’s been no evidence of the so-called red truck. Also, whoever took her did not have a cellphone with them. It did not ping. We know that because they’ve checked for cellphones in the area.”

Summer’s father also spoke ahead of the anniversary. He said he was shocked when he was informed that Summer was missing.

“First, I was in shock because that’s my little girl, and we were really close,” Wells said. “I felt like my heart had dropped all the way down to my stomach. It was that feeling you get in your gut, and I knew when I drove up to where our house is that she was gone.”


Don said he has absolutely no doubt that Summer was taken.

“I just know for a fact that someone took her,” Wells said. “She would always be around the house, by her swing, or by the vehicles, but she wouldn’t go further than that. So I knew without a doubt in my mind that somebody took her. If nobody took her, then she would be home.”

Currently, Wells and his wife are staying with family in Arkansas.

Wells said he loves his daughter wholeheartedly and is thankful to everyone who has supported his family. He is still hopeful that Summer will one day be found and returned home.


The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a statement that its officers continue to search for Summer. Currently, no new information is available.

“TBI agents continue to work alongside the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI in investigating the circumstances leading to the disappearance of Summer Wells,” said TBI Public Information Officer Leslie Earhart. “Unfortunately, we have no new information to share publicly. We urge anyone with credible information to call 1-800-TBI-FIND.”

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Age-progression to age 7

Have you seen this child? Summer Wells

Missing From: ROGERSVILLE, TN. Missing Date: Tue, Jun 15 2021. Summer was last seen at home on June 15, 2021 at approximately 6:00 p.m. She was last seen wearing grey pants, a pink shirt, and was possibly barefoot.

www.missingkids.org

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

LIVE: Summer Wells still missing after 2 years

The then-5-year-old vanished from her Tennessee home after planting flowers with her mom and grandma.

www.newsnationnow.com

It’s been two years since 5-year-old Summer Wells vanished without a trace from a small town in Tennessee.

Summer Wells has been missing for 2 years, prayer vigil set for Thursday

A prayer vigil has been set as Thursday marks two years since the Summer Wells went missing from her Hawkins County home.

wcyb.com

A prayer vigil has been set as Thursday marks two years since the Summer Wells went missing from her Hawkins County home.

Investigators: Search for missing girl, Sumer Wells, remains an active case

"Her disappearance has led to one of the most exhaustive and involved missing child cases we've every investigated," TBI said in a statement.

www.fox13memphis.com

The search for Summer Wells, a missing 5-year-old girl since 2021, remains active though still without any new information to report on the case, Tenn. Bureau of Instigators (TBI) say.

"Her disappearance has led to one of the most exhaustive and involved missing child cases we've every investigated," TBI said in a statement on its social media channel.

Search for Summer Wells: TBI remains steadfast in search for missing girl 2 years after disappearance

Thursday marks two years since Summer Wells disappeared from her Rogersville home on June 15, 2021.

newschannel9.com

Thursday marks two years since Summer Wells disappeared from her Rogersville home on June 15, 2021.

Although there have been no new developments in the search for Summer, TBI shared an age progression photo of what Wells may look like today thanks to the efforts of forensic artists with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Wells family releases tribute video

BEECH CREEK — The Summer Wells family released its Hearts Across the Globe Glimmers of Hope tribute video filled with tributes to Summer from around the world.

www.timesnews.net

The Summer Wells family released its Hearts Across the Globe Glimmers of Hope tribute video filled with tributes to Summer from around the world.

The video serves a virtual-style vigil and a way for the community to express its thoughts. It was published on the second anniversary of Summer's disappearance.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Father speaks two years after the disappearance of Summer Wells

Two years since Summer Wells went missing in Hawkins County, her father Don Wells is speaking.

www.wvlt.tv

Father speaks two years after the disappearance of Summer Wells​

The silence on Ben Hill Road two years after the disappearance of Summer Wells is deafening. The Wells property was once filled with police, search and rescue themes and members of the family.

Summer’s father, Don Wells, said in an interview with WVLT News that his home in Hawkins County was once filled with joy.

“It was really pretty awesome. You know, I always look forward to coming home to the kids and having a good time with them,” he said. “Um, I worked all the time, but, um, I always loved to come home.”

Wells and Summer’s mother, Candus Bly, are not staying in East Tennessee right now. Wells is working out of state. This week, the two are remembering the events of June 15, 2021.


The TBI has said there’s no evidence of Summer being abducted, but her father has a theory of his own.

“What we think, that this is some kind of a professional situation that took her and had probably been watching for a while,” he said.

His theories don’t stop there, however.

“She’s obviously not in school anywhere, or there’s no record of her anywhere. So, she’s either you know, in someone’s basement, deceased, or we just don’t know- or in another country,” he said. “It’s fairly easy to get anything out of the country in my opinion. It’s not easy to get in the country, but it is easy to get out.”

When asked if he thought Summer is still alive, Wells said he wasn’t sure.

“I have no idea. I have no clue. If she is, I mean- I don’t,” he said. “I really don’t know. there’s no way of telling.”


Wells might have theories about where Summer might be, but he wasn’t sure how to answer one question: does he know what happened to Summer?

“I don’t know how you answer a question like that,” he said. “I mean, I’ve had that question asked to me before. I mean, if I asked you that question, how would you answer?”

The TBI has said there’s still an active AMBER Alert for Summer, and investigators are still looking. Her parents are still hoping she’ll come home.

“Only thing I can say is please let her come home,” Wells said. “Let her have her freedom and her life.”

 

[GrandmaBear]

Her parents were put through the wringer by people and I don't and didn't agree with it. It doesn't mean I believe them innocent however.

I'm just not sure in this one. I do not believe his talk of some professionals taking her and watching for awhile. I find that very far fetched.

I believe it far more likely someone in the family caused her death and/or that someone connected to them or living nearby had something to do with it but I lean to it happened in the family. I lean hard that way. I am fairly certain they don't have their boys now either do they? They were taken last I knew.

I wonder what they have shared because IF someone in the family did something, I wonder why they can't try charging it. It worked in the West case recently tried in California and their other children had a lot to do with that conviction.

Maybe I'm wrong but when one takes away all of the blown out of proportion b.s. and wild theories that were out there when this case went wild and come back to the basics, she was at home on a rural property with her mother, grandma and brothers if we are to believe when it happened and where. And things just didn't add up.

I just don't believe in that kind of coincidence too much. At minimum there was a longer time frame than Candus admits to of when she last saw her to when she checked on her, etc. I just can't necessarily put any faith into the story or "facts" given by either parent. Don always has put the abduction thing out there, never has either one even allowed for her having wandered into the woods, etc. and personally I think that is because they didn't want people around searching or LE. Don't get me wrong, I don't think she wandered into the woods but as a parent with a missing child, you'd think you'd allow for any possibility.

Notably also is that LE never once has said they believe she was abducted.

I think if we knew what LE knows we'd know what to think. Just the results of polygraphs even. Or even the last CONFIRMED independent sighting of Summer.

Sad.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Community member uses NASCAR race to spread awareness for missing Summer Wells

Summer Wells went missing from her home on June 15, 2021. She was reported missing by her family in the Beech Creek area of Hawkins County.

wcyb.com

Searching for Summer: Community member uses NASCAR race to spread awareness for missing Summer Wells
The NASCAR races brought thousands of people to the Tri-Cities this weekend, and Lee decided to take the opportunity to spread awareness.

"Be a good time to get out there," said Lee. "It's simple, going down the road, park, holding up a sign, engaging with people giving them fliers, stuff like that. It's a simple way to do things but to really get the word out."

Lee was outside Regions Bank on State Street all day holding up signs and handing out fliers.

"Some would sit and discuss and just pull up the information and kind of get an understanding of the case. For everybody it's a tragedy, when you hear a child is missing for two years it's just sad it pulls at your heart."

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Prayer event for missing & exploited people taking place in Kingsport Feb. 2

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — A prayer event for missing and exploited individuals is taking place on Feb. 2 in Kingsport. According to the event’s social media page, community members will gathe…

www.wjhl.com

by: Faith Little
Posted: Jan 28, 2024 / 01:00 PM EST
Updated: Jan 29, 2024 / 08:52 AM EST

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — A prayer event for missing and exploited individuals is taking place on Feb. 2 in Kingsport.

According to the event’s social media page, community members will gather at Cedar Grove Baptist Church at 6:30 p.m. to pray for and remember local missing persons, including Summer Wells, whose 8th birthday is Feb. 4, just two days after the event.

Organizers said they’ll join hands with community members and ask for guidance, protection and hope for those who are missing and their families. The public is invited to attend.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Sunday marks Summer Wells’ 8th birthday, TBI says she’s never forgotten

HAWKINS COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Sunday, Feb. 4 marked Summer Wells’ 8th birthday. She has been missing since June 15, 2021, and is the subject of an ongoing statewide Amber Alert. Summer was f…

www.wjhl.com

Sunday marks Summer Wells’ 8th birthday, TBI says she’s never forgotten​

Sunday, Feb. 4 marked Summer Wells’ 8th birthday. She has been missing since June 15, 2021, and is the subject of an ongoing statewide Amber Alert.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) released a statement on social media Sunday, acknowledging Summer’s birthday and stating that she’s never forgotten. The TBI said in the post that agents continue to investigate Summer’s disappearance, although little answers have been found.

NEVER FORGOTTEN: Today is Summer Wells’ 8th birthday. She’s been missing since June 15, 2021. Although we still don’t have the answers we’ve been seeking, agents continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. Call 1-800-TBI-FIND w/ credible information. TENNESSEE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Sunday marks nearly three years since Summer was last seen. In June of 2023, the TBI released an age-progressed photo of what Summer might look like as she got older, created by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

The TBI continues to urge members of the public to reach out if they have any credible information by calling 1-800-TBI-FIND.