Whitwell Police Press Release:Â
Incident: Kidnapping
Incident Date: June 17, 2025
Incident time: 1200 hours
Incident location: 1400 North Main Street
On June 19, 2025, at approximately 10:25 AM, Whitwell Police responded to a call for service involving a missing juvenile. Police spoke with the reporting party, identified as Stacy Shyann Childress. Childress advised police that her friend, identified as Frankie Kay Robinson, had been babysitting her minor child at Ms. Robinson’s address on North Main Street in Whitwell since June 16. 2025 around noon. Childress stated that it had been more than 24 hours since she spoke to Robinson, and she was concerned about both the child’s well-being and Robinson’s well-being. Childress advised her last contact with Robinson and her minor child was on June 17, 2025, at approximately noon.
Childress advised she had made numerous attempts to contact Robinson by phone and in person at her residence in the 24-hour time period but was unsuccessful in her efforts. Childress advised that Robinson is involved with many organizations in the area and has custody of her minor granddaughter, and this was out of character for Robinson to not call her back in a timely manner, however she did trust her with her child. Police advised Childress to continue to try to contact Robinson and that police would check her residence frequently throughout the day. Childress advised that she would contact police later in the day if contact with Robinson had not been made.
Around 3:13 PM, police spoke with Childress, who advised that Childress still had not been able to make contact with Robinson. Police gathered all necessary information regarding the children as well as Robinson, and the vehicle she was driving. This information was then relayed to Marion County Dispatch. Dispatch advised they were consulting with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on the matter. After further investigation, police learned that Ms. Robinson has been convicted of numerous Child Endangerment/Abuse Charges in the past and that her phone was pinged via cell phone towers on June 19, 2025, in Tallulah, Louisiana. At this time, an Amber Alert was requested for both children. The children and the suspect vehicle were also entered into NCIC.
Chief David Boyd contacted the Police Chief in Tallulah, Louisiana who advised he would BOLO (Be on the lookout) the surrounding area and agencies. Police spoke with the 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office on how to proceed further regarding appropriate charges.
At approximately 8:30 PM, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Fusion Center notified Whitwell Police of a License Plate Reader (LPR) hit on the vehicle that Robinson was driving. Whitwell Police were advised the hits were in Oxford, Alabama on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, and in Monroe, Louisiana on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 9:00 AM The second LPR hit correlates with the cell phone ping from Tallulah Louisianna.
After this information was received, police went to the residence again on North Main Street. Due to Robinsons prior convictions, the missing children, leaving the county suddenly unannounced and numerous out of state LPR hits, police knocked and announced as police. When there was no answer at the door, due to exigent circumstances, police forced entry into the home in an effort to ensure the children were not being held inside the home either injured, or deceased. Upon clearing the residence, Robinson nor the children were located.
Police returned to the police department, and it was at this time, Frankie Kay Robinson reported to the Police Department to advise officers the children were safe. Robinson advised police that she had advised a mutual party that she was leaving town for a few days, and that he needed to advise Childress, however the mutual party never advised Childress of such events. It should also be noted that Robinson did not have permission or consent to remove the minor child from the state from the child’s custodial parent.
At this time, due to an active felony warrant for kidnapping, Robinson was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Marion County Jail. Robinson was advised of her Miranda Rights and requested an attorney before answering any questions, therefore any further questioning seized immediately. The minor child was returned to Childress, and the other minor child was placed in CPS custody.
Whitwell Police Department want to take a moment to show thanks for LPR’s around the country that aided in this investigation. LPR’s enhance public safety by automatically identifying stolen vehicles, wanted suspects, and traffic violations. They save time and resources for law enforcement by reducing manual checks and providing real-time data. LPRs also support criminal investigations by offering valuable location and movement information, helping solve crimes more efficiently. We are thankful that LPR’s were able to give real-time information regarding the whereabouts and direction of these missing children.
Whitwell Police Department would also like to take a moment to thank the 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Marion County Dispatch, and Tallulah Police Department for their hard work and help in this matter to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every individual involved in this incident. No further information is provided at this time.
