UPDATE: 2 p.m.
KINGSPORT — Kingsport police are attempting to locate an allegedly hysterical woman who asked a pedestrian if she had spotted her toddler lying along the road, then called 911 to see if the child had been transported to the emergency room.
An officer later called back on the phone that had contacted central dispatch and spoke to a female who claimed a neighbor had asked her to call 911. Police say she then stated she was heading to the Hog Wild Saloon and abruptly disconnected the call.
“We don’t know the validity of (her reports) but we’ve got to treat it like it’s real,” said KPD Detective Chris Tincher.
The incident began at approximately 8 p.m. Wednesday on Lynn Garden Drive near Sevier Terrace. A woman walking in the area told police that a distraught female in a Honda Accord stopped her to ask if she had seen a child. When told no, the woman drove away.
Tincher said dispatchers soon received a second call, with this one believed to be from the driver of the Honda. The woman allegedly asked if EMS had transported a small boy to the hospital.
An officer called the number back and spoke with the same female. Police say she identified herself as Stephanie Salyers and claimed she lives in the Orebank area and a neighbor had asked her to place the first call. She then stated she was going to the Hog Wild Saloon.
On Wednesday night officers visited the bar on West Stone Drive but were unable to locate anyone believed to have placed the call. On Thursday afternoon Tincher said no small child had been found or transported to the hospital.
Police have also been unable to find any local records for the female’s alleged name, Stephanie Salyers, while searches of the Orebank area have not located the car she was reportedly driving.
The walker who first called 911 reported it was a maroon Honda Accord with the left taillight broken, covered in tape. The driver was described as approximately 5 feet 7 inches and between 140 and 145 pounds, with long dark hair.
Anyone having information is asked to contact Kingsport central dispatch, (423) 246-9111, or the KPD criminal investigation division at (423) 229-9429.