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Subscribe to RSSAn Amber Alert has been issued after officials failed to find the remains of two children thought to be inside a house that burned to the ground in Tennessee. NBC's Lori Wilson reports.
Authorities in Tennessee have issued a statewide Amber Alert for two young siblings who have missing since their grandparent’s home was destroyed by a fire.
"We don't know where they are," Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Kristin Helm told WSMV-TV. "We don't have any indication that they're in another state."
Authorities issued the alert late Friday evening after investigators spent a fifth day trying to determine if there were any remains of the children in the fire debris.
The children, identified as Chloie Leverette, 9, and Gage Daniel, 7, were living with their grandparents at the house that burned Sunday night and early Monday.
Choking back tears at times, Gage’s father, Christopher Daniel, said he had no idea what could have happened to the children. "I don't know what to think. I don't know what to think," Daniel told The Associated Press. "They don't think that they burned up in the fire, the way I took it they don't."
The children have not been seen since before the fire Sunday night.
Two bodies tentatively identified as 72-year-old Leon "Bubba" McClaran and his wife, 70-year-old Molli McClaran, were recovered Monday and have been sent to the Nashville medical examiner's office for autopsy. She was the children's maternal grandmother, he their step-grandfather.
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"To err on the side of caution, as far as law enforcement is concerned, we feel like we can leave no stone unturned and just try to follow every lead that we can to ensure that they're not somewhere else," Helm told WSMV-TV in Nashville. "I don't know where else they would be. They were a close knit family."
Multiple fire experts had processed the debris of the incinerated farmhouse and no trace of the children was found, authorities say.
Helm said the TBI does not have any direct evidence that the children are victims of foul play. She said there are no persons of interest in the case and that investigators are following all leads, but would not elaborate.
Forensic teams from Middle Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville were brought in to help in the search.
Forensic anthropologist Steven A. Symes, who formerly worked in the medical examiner's office for Shelby County, said it was a smart decision for authorities to bring in these teams because they have the expertise.
"It just takes some screening and some close looking and understanding that a piece of drywall and piece of skull bone burned look about identical," he said.
Symes said the recovery of remains from fires has advanced as the forensic anthropology field grows, but he acknowledged it is still a slow process. He said the length of time to recover remains depends on the scene and how detailed the search is.
"Unfortunately sometimes a case that you least expect to be suspicious or difficult turns into that type of case," he said.
Neighbor Erika Barnet said she was starting to come to terms that her neighbors may have died in the fire, but now says she doesn’t know what to think.
"It was just fire everywhere," Barnett told WSMV-TV. "As hot as that fire was over there, I don't see how they would have gotten out."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Question is... Is the fire suspicious? Not mentioned in article.
From local news reports I heard that there were about 40 tanks of propane at the home.
They said they may never know the cause of the fire due to the intensity of the flames. But now that they're getting more trained professionals, who knows.
Got to wait for Autopsy also cause of fire and more..Hurry
The whereabouts of the mother is not mentioned either.
It is really weird but yesterday I went to a restaurant call Bravo is a Italian restaurant and I was waiting to be seated and it call my attention a little girl shoes, she was wearing some slip on sandals with a little heal I though she look really cute and I keep looking at her, she was there with her brother and 2 ladies, and now I see this news I look at this picture and they look very similar I dont know if their are the same kids but the age and their looks it just make me wander. This restaurant is located in the Mall of Louisiana.
Lousiana; I hope you notify local authorities and also make a call to the Tennessee community authorities from where these children went missing. It'll be worth your time and effort even if those weren't the children.
So, Louisana, I'm sure that you've contacted the authorities....right ?
Louisiana,You're one of those people who waste the cops time with false leads.A lot of kids look like these two.,
cleaning lady, you are absolutely wrong. Many kidnap victims have been found because someone told police that they looked like the children's photos. I can't remember the name...but one of them was a girl who had been abducted by a workman in her parents' house and held captive for several years. The cops do not mind spending their time on leads like these.
Good point, very poor details in many articles these days with little or no investigative reporting....hopefully this isn't a family incident and the children are safe and will somehow return home soon.
I really hope the kids made it out; could be they accidentally started the fire, and then ran away scared; if that is the case they will be hiding nearby, hope so.
Here's a possibility: (one of) the kids set the fire, either accidentally or in mischief. When they saw what they had done and knew there would be trouble, they ran, afraid of facing the consequences, overcome with guilt.
I hope they are found soon and safe.
Why did they issue an Amber alert? I thought Amber Alerts are only to be used if a child has gone missing in the last half-minute to possiably a few hours (or a day and a half at the max), Not a few days to a week, the alert was issued a very long time after the supposed abduction. That in its self is suspicious. I wonder what the TBI is up to?
if the children were abducted they had a very long time to get very far away. What good will an Amber Alert do at this stage eh?
And thats my opinion.
Dear St. Anthony please come around, someone lost and can not be found. Dear God please bring your children to a safe place. Guide them away from danger and people with evil in their hearts. amen.
Magnum an amber alert does not have to be within a specific amount of time. Its just to let vthe community know a child abduction has been committed.
If the kids where there they would have found something from them. Almost every kid has fillings in their teeth these days. They will sift that whole house.
Magnum and Tara, you're both right. The Amber Alert guidelines are only advisory. On the other hand, adhering to them is a way that local police can shield themselves from parental pressure to issue alerts when one isn't appropriate, thus "diluting" their impact. This one doesn't have suspect or vehicle information, the abduction wasn't witnessed, and the alert comes five days after the fire.
Magnum Serpentine:
They probably had to confirm the bodies were not in the rubble, hence the delay. Makes sense, Yes?
Makes sense... No.
There are other kinds of alerts that would have been more approrate for the situation.
And thats my opinion.
In most places Amber alerts are issued only if there was an eye-witness or credible evidence of an abduction as well as either a description of the abductor or their vehicle. They usually make it that strict so people don't start ignoring them. I believe that is what Magnum means by issuing the alert doesn't make sense since in all areas I've heard of this doesn't fit the requirements. Put in on the news, definitely but they aren't even positive that they were abducted yet.
I got a bad feeling about this. Been way too many stories involving children this year.
I hope they are found safe and sound, or at least know they died from the fire and some sicko does not have them doing no telling what to them.
We should know more in days to come. Lets pray it turns out good. We need some good news in these times.
Eerily - this reminds me of that story a few years back when a man broke into their North Western home (Oregon or Utah?), killed the mom and the boyfriend and 13 year old son and took the younger kids, one of which, the boy, he ended up killing. That was horrific and though I hope this isn't the case here, it's exactly what it seems to me. God be with them!
My questions are not only was the fire suspicious, but where are the childrens parents. It says the grandparents were raising them, I would look to the parents, maybe there was a custody battle in place... Those poor kids, I hope they are alright.
Maybe the kids set the fire.
JmB66
That's the same thought I had. They resented being abandoned by their parents and reprimanded by their grandparents for some minor offense, so they set the fire and left their g-parents to die. It wouldn't be the first time this has happened.
It would be nice to have more details, could be one of the parents were involved also.
In a way I thought the same thing with the exception that I dont figure they would be thinking about any one dying...just doing something to vent their anger then hiding in plain sight>
Well the article says they've talked to the father but having two last names, I doubt he's the father of both. I'd look at the mother. Why is she not even mentioned in this article? Her parents are the ones who were taking care of the kids for her. Why wasn't she taking care of her own kids? If she couldn't or didn't want to take care of them, why weren't the fathers given custody, instead of having her elderly parents do the job for her? Were they taken away from her? This doesn't say if it was a legal arrangement or not. Sounds like she only kept custody of them in order to get child support from the fathers, which I highly doubt she was giving to the grandparents to help in their raising. Need more information on this family. I hope there is follow-up on the story. But whoever has the kids, is surely the reason for the death of the grandparents. (Did they die fro fire-related causes that could have been intentionally set, or murdered before the fire?)
Maybe they were just visiting the grandparents.the article says nothing about not being raised by their parents.It could be that their mother is deceased.The young man's Dad is devastated so that tells me they were not abandoned by their parents.All of this maybe and armchair detective stuff.
Just a cleaning lady: the article states that the children were LIVING with their grandparents.
Umm. I would love to know why anyone would assume that the kids set the fire and all that nonsense that they did it because they were mad at them? You have no idea that any of that even happened. Seriously, that is a huge charge to make on no evidence. There are so many variables here and not that much info, and making up all kinds of scenarios doesn't help anything. How about we hope they are okay and that this was an accident instead of making things up?
Yes, it is about time we get the chips installed in all kids in USA, so we can know where they are, via GPS, but first we have to get the all police officers coded as well, so we can see what they are doing and where abouts!!
I agree with you down with big brother, we have too much of our privacy taken away by the government don't need chips placed in us. Prayer's going out that they find these children save.
Bundgaard-1210892, chips, really? That is quite possibly the stupidist idea I've seen this month, and there's been a lot of stupid ideas here this month! I do wonder though, what makes you think that you'd be part of the "we" that knows where everyone is?
Bundguaard, we as a society, need to start praying and guide our children to do the same.
I can agree with the chipping of kids- but in a procedure that is reversible at their discretion at maturity.
Sorry but I don't agree with the posters who are disagreeing with Bumgaard. All my kids were born during a more innocent time. If I had kids nowadays, I would want my kids implanted with a tracking device, which would be removable once the courts deemed they were old enough to make that decision. Do you even know how many children's lives could be saved if they could be found before being murdered and molested, not to mention, how many or those perverts might even give a second thought before attempting to commit the deed in the first place. This does't mean big brother would have anything to do with it. Implant them as infants, give the records to the parents and the gov't would know nothing about it unless a report of abduction would have to be made. They do it for pets and my pets were inplanted and it had nothing to do twith bobo. For all I care, they could implant me. If I were ever abducted or murdered, I'd like my body to be found ASAP before critters could get rid of the evidence. If Caylee could have been found 5 months earlier, that crucial evidence could have led to a conviction. They already finger and footprint newborns anyway. This would be an extra precaution. I'd even go so far as to say that parents would have the last say in the matter, making the decision of implanting or not. But I believe (and it's entirely my opinion) anyone who truly loves and cares about their babies in these times would opt for a tracker in their child.
Please chips inserted in kids.Are you out of your mind.Bad things happen to people of all ages.It's just the way life is.There is no Santa Claus and this is not a Pollyanna world.You do the best you can to safeguard your children,elderly parents etc. but stuff still happens.
Chips? REally? Makes me think New World Order - no one's sticking a chip in me!
Ah, a custody battle over the kids . This "stinks" to me. Check out the parents and see where they (and their friends) are and you will find the children! May the grandparents RIP
The article mentioned nothing about a custody battle. Turn off the TV and step away!
Would it be possible to wait to see what happened before we assume all kinds of wild things?
Where is the mother? The father made a comment but the mother didn't... and the grandparents were the maternal grandparents. I believe if they find the mother they will find the children. Why were the children living with their grandparents instead of with the parents?
That's exactly what i was thinking and going to post Linda!!! Where IS the mom??? I can't stand reading these articles that are just interesting enough to get your attention, but then, don't give you all the information available...
I also wonder if the police have looked into the option that the kids might have started the fire. Not saying they did, but did they have a motive to do so?
I really think they are looking into all kinds of things. They will figure this out based on the evidence they have.
May have been snatched by one or the others parent and the house set ablaze to cover up evidence
Or not. Or something totally unrelated to that at all.
This is so sad and scary to the point of not knowing what happened and if there is foul play involved. I pray they find these children alive and safe. If they don't find the remains of the children in the house then they need to press hard for a search of these little ones. I hope they can figure out of this was a set fire and if the grandparents died of foul play, if so then they could assume the children are most likely out there with some psycho.
I agree with Bundgaard... I have said it for several years. CHIP the KIDS!!! only the doctor and Parents would know where it is put on the child.... We are losing to many children to sickos!!!!
Let's chip you so we can know where all the idiots are!
arguing over silly stuff wont help find the children or discover if they are with our lord!!! If everyone would just say a prayer for them, and the family God will let us know. Let us all pray for the examiners and the searchers. God Please give them the answers and give the family peace in their hearts !!! Thank you Lord Jesus Christ!!!!
Chips are fine as long as they are NEVER made manditory....By anyone...
Why were the grandparents raising the children???? What was (wrong) with the parents??? Too many questions about this. Does not sound good to me.
My first thought was one of the kids accidentally set the fire and they ran away. It's been almost a week though. Maybe mom has them?
I think many here have been watching too much TV! The article was short on information, maybe lazy reporting, maybe cops playing it carefully. One way or another all these theories are just that, theories with no basis in fact!
OK, chips should only be in animals, because they can't speak for themselves, and cookies!
Was this arson? If so...find the arsonist, find the abductor.
How sad for the father of these children to not know what has happened to them. It is hard enough to lose the gand parents but to not know about the children must be torture.
I live in the next town over from where this happened and know some distant family members. The mother has been on and off drugs for several years which is why the grandparents had custody. According to local reports the TBI has spoken to her and stated that "she does not have the children". There are 2 different fathers and they have spoken to the father of the little boy but I haven't heard anything about the father of the girl. The grandparents are the parents of the childrens mother. I don't know any specifics of any custody disputes or anything of that nature. It is a very odd story. I believe it was almost better news when they first told them they died in a fire than for them now to come back and tell that they don't know where they are. Not knowing has got to be worse. :( I pray that they find them safe and sound but it doesn't seem like that is where this case is heading.
I hope something is found soon so that the rest of the family can have closure
White genocide by assimilation.
When we have: Africa for Africans, Asia for Asians, White Countries for Everybody, what do we have overtime?
We have solid Black only and Solid Asian only countries, exclusively for Blacks and Asians, based upon exclusive genetics and culture. Culture is respected and so tolerable to these groups. They do not need to tolerate massive inflows of invaders and made to tolerate foreign cultures.
We have more and more non-whites in White countries since the right of Whites to exclusive territory is denied them.
We have fewer and fewer White people.
How is this not White genocide?
Anti-racist is a codeword for anti-white.
When we mix more non-whites and fewer Whites in the same living space, what do we get?
In time, White extinction. Its called White genocide because this does not happen by chance. It is being forced upon Whites just like a rapist does not take no for an answer.
How is this not so? How is this not White genocide?
Anti-racist is a codeword for anti-white.
hey whitie - u r an idiot. like down w/ brother said- go troll on some white supremises site.
I never heard of "white countries" or "Asian countries" or "black countries". I thought we all could live where ever we wanted to. You are one of the reasons we all just can't get along! Spreading this kind of drivel online. Your account needs to be banished. You are an idiot!!!
WTF does this have to do with this article? You're a freaking idiot!
"Unfortunately sometimes a case that you least expect to be suspicious or difficult turns into that type of case," he said.
Its sad to see the children have to go thru such a horrible event, But im sure there is more to the story than we know. Why are the bodies of the kids not in the fire? It strange how they just find the grandparents but no kids. If it was that bad of a fire than maybe an accelerator was used. Im sure we will here more and hopefully these so called good parents of this close knit family have nothing to do with it.....
Just Sayin..
Wow! I am so sorry that you have to suffer and have your life made so miserable by having to live in the vicinity of someone different from you.
Just for the record, culture and skin color are two, entirely different concepts. Culturally, you are racist white trash. I think a lot of people, of all races, would be more than happy to supply you and your ilk with an island somewhere.
First things first- White children-post # 20, you need to go away. Your post has no place here, or anywhere. Get back under your rock.
Dear down with big brother,
What makes you think that a chip couldn't be removed? I'm not a doctor, but that sounds quite medically doubtful to me.
I think the idea of chips in children is just fine. In at birth. Just make sure that at age 18, they are removed. There are too many children that go missing, lost, run-aways, all sorts of foul play, etc. They have them in autos, which are way less important than children.
Those children could be anywhere by now, since it's almost a week. The children have different last names, so I assume there is a second father involved. He's not mentioned. Where is he? And let's not forget, there are many cases where the parent appears all broke up over it, when, really, they have committed the harm. I hope this is not the case.
It's really sad when these things happen. May the grandparents rest in peace, and may the children be found safe, and soon.
it was the kids maternal grandmother, but only the father of the kids spoke up. They never said anything about the kids mother. That is a real strange one there.
What if the children accidently started the fire and are out there running scared right now? A local fire was started by an 8 year old boy and for 3 days they couldnt find him. They found him hiding in a neighbors garage. They are alone and scared knowing what happened could have them to mentally distraught right now to want to return home. God bless them and keep them safe and alive.