Carpenter, a local minister, told WBIR-TV that they previously searched the area a day prior but didn’t find tire tracks.
He said that he had a feeling they should head back there the next day. “Thank God we went back there,” he said.
“Carlie is safe tonight because of an entire community pulling together and working with law enforcement to bring Carlie home,” Gwyn added.
Carpenter described their search as “a lot of hitting the bushes, digging, praying, a lot of heartache, a lot of disappointment.”
But, he added, “it turned out good.”
Simpson is accused of removing Carlie from school without permission on May 4 in Rogersville, TBI said.
Simpson, 57, who is Carlie’s uncle by marriage, was charged with especially aggravated kidnapping. He could face other charges. Currently, he is being held in the Hawkins County Jail.
Simpson had purchased clothing and camping equipment before going to the school.
