Amber Alerts Issued In Several States For Missing Brittany Mae Smith

Dec. 8, 2010 — -- The search for missing 12-year-old Brittany Mae Smith and her alleged abductor, 32-year-old Jeffrey Scott Easley, now spans several states.

"As we continue this search, there's a very good possibility that Easley and Brittany may be seeking refuge in North Carolina, California, Florida, Alabama, West Virginia, Ohio and maybe Kentucky," Roanoke County, Va. Police Chief Ray Lavinder said at a press conference.

Amber Alerts have been issued in all of those states. Along with the expanded search, authorities said that Easley bought camping equipment including a blue, Ozark Trail domed tent.

"It could be at a camping facility or it could be anywhere," Lavinder said of the tent.

Police first issued an Amber Alert for Brittany on Monday after discovering the body of her 41-year-old mother, Tina Smith.

A coroner ruled the death a homicide. Police said that finding Brittany and Easley is key to the murder investigation.

"I think that once we locate Brittany -- and we're concerned about her safety and that's paramount in our objectives here -- once we locate her and Mr. Easley, I think that will open a lot of doors for us in the homicide investigation," Lavinder said.

Police urged Easley to return Brittany so that she could attend her mother's funeral.

"It's her mother and I know she would not miss that at all if there was not something keeping her from it," Lavinder said. "I think it's important that she should be able to say goodbye to her mother."

Earlier on Wednesday, Virginia police obtained a felony warrant against Easley for the abduction of Brittany.

"We're certainly pursuing him to execute this warrant," Lavinder said. "Never forget the fact that she's a 12-year-old girl in the company of 32-year-old man, she's at risk and we're very concerned about her safety."

The chief also said that investigators believe someone may be helping Easley and Brittany.

"I'm almost positive that someone out there knows where Brittany and Mr. Easley are. The weather has been very bad … they need food. Someone, if they are still in this region, is hiding them, I'm certain of that," Lavinder said.

Easley's mother, Sallie Martin, appeared at a police news conference Tuesday to plead with her son to turn himself in.

"From what I know about you and Brittany..." she said, but didn't finish the sentence. She added, "I know you're taking care of Brittany. If you would just take her somewhere and drop her off."

The two were last seen in surveillance video at a Salem, Va. Walmart on Dec. 3, between 8:00 and 8:30 p.m. Police aren't sure if the trip to Walmart was made before or after Tina Smith's death.

In the photo, Brittany appears at ease with the 265 pound Easley.