AMBER Alert: Missing Tennessee Girl Found Dead in Lake

The body of a missing autistic girl has been found in Douglas Lake, Tennessee, according to a post from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

Seven-year-old Serenity Kinsey was reported missing in Jefferson County around 5 a.m.

The context

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued an AMBER Alert Thursday morning for the missing 7-year-old girl.

The AMBER Alert was issued across Tennessee at 10:23 a.m., alerting residents of the ongoing search.

What we know

Less than an hour later, Kinsley's body was discovered in Douglas Lake.

Kinsley was autistic and nonverbal. This is not the first time she has been reported missing. According to the sheriff's office, there have been two other incidents where Kinsley was found quickly and nearby, according to a local news station, according to a post shared on the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

Newsweek reached out to a representative with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office for comment.

According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death for children with autism spectrum disorders.

Kinsey was reported missing around 5 a.m. in Jefferson County, when her family noticed she had left her home on Indian Creek Road overnight. First responders said she may have left as early as 1 a.m., as the family said they hadn't seen her since, according to a post shared on the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

His body was found by divers not far from his home, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, which issued the AMBER Alert.

Newsweek reached out to a representative from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, through their social media channels for comment.

According to local news station WSAZ, Kinsey loved the water and lived near the lake.

A ground search began immediately and drones were used alongside helicopters from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Knox County Sheriff's Office.

According to a post shared on the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, authorities said “one of the first responding officers deployed his K-9 partner who led him to the area of ​​a dock on Douglas Lake.”

The statement continued: “The Sheriff's Office and TWRA boats responded to the area and upon examination of the area, both observed a suspicious signature on radar near a dock.”

Divers and an underwater vehicle from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency then began searching the water, according to a post shared on the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

The post on the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office page also confirmed that when the child's body was found, she was transported to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center.

And after

Condolences have poured in following the tragic event.

In a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation shared the following statement.

“We have heartbreaking news about the search for Serenity Kinsey. A dive team located her body in the lake near her home a short time ago. Our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time. We appreciate each and every one of you who has shared your information.”

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