Search for Summer: Day 4 — Searchers comb more than 1,000 acres for Hawkins County girl

Sheriff Ronnie Lawson says two investigations are taking place in Beech Creek: finding 5-year-old Summer Wells and what led to her disappearance.

Both are intense, said Hawkins County’s top law enforcement official.

The TBI, FBI, and other trained experts continue to search the Beech Creek community outside of the county seat of Rogersville for Summer, who was last seen in her family residence’s front yard after planting flowers with her mother Tuesday afternoon.

A family member making a statement to local media said he fears Summer was abducted and is praying for her safe return.

A county emergency chief said Friday afternoon dozens of searchers will have covered more than 1,000 acres when the day’s activities have concluded. Special digital mapping and dive teams have been added to a growing list of organizations assisting county search units.

Lawson noted in his 44 years in police work he has never seen such an outpouring of resources and concern in one case.

Wells is 3 feet tall with short blonde hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a pink shirt, grey pants, and could be barefoot.

Anonymous tips can be submitted at TipsToTbi@tn.gov