A 7-year-old La Vergne girl who triggered an endangered child alert is safe in Alabama, and a woman is now in custody, authorities said Saturday. The child was reported missing on Friday from La Vergne, prompting the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to push out photos and identifying details overnight as the search quickly ramped up. Local and state agencies called on residents to share tips while investigators worked to piece together how and why the child left the area.
According to a post from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on Facebook, the child is 7-year-old Myla Roper, and a woman identified as Malasia Elliott is in custody. The alert described Roper as about 4 feet tall and roughly 45 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, and said she was last seen in a black jacket and grey jeans. Investigators also flagged a possible vehicle tied to the case, a 2015 red Chevrolet Impala with Alabama license plate 47c687w.
What Officials Released And How To Reach Them
Per the La Vergne Police Department, anyone who may have seen anything related to the case is urged to call the department. The city’s police page lists the non-emergency number as 615-793-7744. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation also notes that tips about missing or endangered persons can be reported through its statewide tip line, 1‑800‑TBI‑FIND (1‑800‑824‑3463), as outlined on the TBI website. Officials have not yet released where in Alabama the child was located or whether formal charges have been filed against Elliott.
What Authorities Are Still Not Saying
Investigators have not provided a detailed timeline of events that led up to the endangered child alert, nor have they clarified the custody situation beyond confirming that a person is in custody. Booking details and any potential charges have not been made public. As of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s post, no additional information had been reported by other local outlets, and law enforcement appeared to still be conducting interviews and follow-up checks. Residents with information were encouraged to contact authorities so investigators can bring the case to a close.
Why The Alert Was So Critical
Endangered child alerts pull in local and state resources fast and lean heavily on the public’s eyes and ears to help track down kids in potential danger. The TBI regularly issues such alerts to push searches well beyond city limits and get crucial details in front of more people, coordinating efforts with local departments on missing-child cases, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. In situations like this one, a quick public response can make all the difference in reuniting children with their families.
