As authorities issued a lookout for her father and his girlfriend Tuesday, a missing 12-year-old Hall County girl called an Atlanta TV reporter.
It's one of at least two calls Brooklyn Smith has placed to members of the Atlanta media. She told WSB TV's Tony Thomas that she's not with her father and that she ran away.
"Everybody is wanting to know why I won't call the cops or go to the cops, and they think it's because I'm in danger or whatever, but it's actually because I don't trust the cops," Smith said.
The girl would not tell Thomas where she is. Brooklyn Smith's mother, Salena Smith, told Thomas that the girl's father is coaching her on the phone.
"Absolutely. He's done it for four years, absolutely, and I know what it sound like and how she acts. I'm very familiar with it."
Hall County authorities also believe Brooklyn Smith is with her father and his 19-year-old girlfriend. The Hall County Sheriff's Office issued a lookout Tuesday for Steven Keith Spires, 31, and Carmen Clay, 19. Spires has an active arrest warrant for interference with custody.
"Investigators have strong reason to believe she is at risk," a media release from authorities stated Tuesday.
Investigators also confirmed Brooklyn Smith had made phone contact with her mother at some point after she was reported missing last week.
Contact information
To provide information about Brooklyn’s whereabouts:
- Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Criminal Investigations Division (770) 531-6879
- Hall County Dispatch (770) 536-8812
- Your local law enforcement agency.
If anyone personally spots Brooklyn Smith, Steven Spires, or Carmen Clay they are asked to call 911 immediately.
Source: Hall County Sheriff's Office
