Youth found safe after extensive area search

By Eddie West

Staff Writer

Multiple agencies, including the sheriffs department and the county’s rescue squad, were involved in a search for a juvenile reported missing from her home located in the Kempville community.

The sheriffs department was first alerted to the missing 14 year old girl who left her Kempville Highway/Highway 85 residence on foot, Wednesday.

After officers with the sheriffs department arrived on the scene and obtained information, the county’s rescue squad was called to search the area at 12:42 p.m.

Initially, the search included the immediate area around where the youth lived, an area near the intersection of Funns Branch Road and Highway 85/Kempville Highway and located in the northeastern part of the county near the Jackson County line.

The terrain around the residence was mainly wooded with steep hills which made it difficult for searchers who used all-terrain vehicles.

A reverse 911 call was made to the area, alerting residents of the missing youth and to be on the look out for any possible sightings. 

In addition to the rescue squad and multiple sheriffs department officers, a number of concerned citizens assisted in the search.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) also responded to the scene with an officer and helicopter.

In addition, the Putnam County Rescue Squad assisted in the search, using two drones to canvass the area.

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