HAWKINS COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) – Gary Simpson, the man accused of kidnapping his 9-year-old niece Carlie Trent on May 4, appeared in court Monday.
WKRN News 2 reports that Simpson asked for a public defender to be appointed for him. Simpson stated he was not employed.
The Associated Press reports that Simpson said he does not understand the kidnapping charge.
Simpson, 58, shared custody of Carlie Trent and her sister until last year, while the girl’s father was jailed on drug charges. He told a judge in court Monday that he does not get why he is being charged for something that the girlfriend of his niece’s father also has done, according to the AP.
He is expected to appear in court again on May 23.
Gary Simpson had been held at the Hawkins County jail since Thursday, when he and Trent were found near Clinch Valley in East Tennessee.
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Donnie Lawson searched his brother’s property with Stewart Franklin. When Franklin was riding an ATV, he found Trent walking while carrying a teddy bear. Lawson took the child to the nearest residence to call 911 and Franklin held Simpson at gunpoint.
Simpson faces charges for aggravated kidnapping.