Missing nine-year-old girl 'in imminent danger' after uncle bought underwear and lipstick before kidnapping her

The authorities fear Carlie Trent could be 'in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death'

Carlie Trent is still missing despite a huge search effort (TBI)

A nine-year-old girl is believed to be in “imminent danger” after her uncle bought a bikini, lipstick and underwear and then took her from school.

Investigators say Carlie Trent has been missing since 4 May, when her uncle, Gary Simpson, drove her away in his van from her class in Rogersville, Tennessee.

An extensive search operation has been enacted and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has received more than 1,200 tips but the whereabouts of the child and her uncle remain unknown.

The TBI is especially worried by the products Mr Simpson bought in a store he visited around the time of the alleged abduction. In particular, the purchase of child-sized khaki pants, a nightgown, a bikini, underwear, lipstick, nail polish and a child-sized camp chair, are of particular concern according to TBI spokesman Josh DeVine. He also bought a T-shirt and black trousers for himself.

"There's every indication that he intended to go out of sight," Mr DeVine said.

A TBI statement said: “During the course of the investigation, authorities have developed specific and credible information which leads law enforcement to believe the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death.”

An ‘amber’ alert - reserved for the most serious cases - has been issued by the authorities over the incident.

Carlie’s father, James Trent, claimed Mr Simpson was fixated with Carlie.

“He had access to her every day,” Mr Trent told local media. “He was obsessed with her, he wanted her and he wanted her all to himself, that's a scary thing to think about.”

Mr Trent said he did not think Mr Simpson would harm Carlie.

He said to the broadcaster: "It would be a great moment but then again it be a scary moment -- because I'm just wondering how she's going to be.

“Is she going to be as happy as she was? Is she going to be scared to death of everyone? Is she even going to want to come back to this place where Gary was? That's what I worry about, that she just won't be the same."

Mr Simpson’s wife, Linda Simpson, told the broadcaster: “I’m just worrying and worrying and worrying. I’m trying to take care of my son by myself but I’m trying to get it into my head what he’s thinking or where he’d be or what he’s doing.”

The search continued on Thursday.