ROGERSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Authorities say a man who disappeared last week with his 9-year-old niece recently lost custody of her.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesman Josh Devine told reporters on Monday that Carlie Marie Trent of Rogersville had been placed back into her father's custody so recently that he hadn't yet notified school officials.

Police issued an Amber Alert for Carlie on Thursday, the day after authorities say 57-year-old Gary Simpson signed her out of school under false pretenses. Officials have said they believe the two are in an "isolated area" such as a campground.

Carlie is 4 foot 8 inches tall and weighs 75 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Simpson is balding, 5 foot 10 inches tall and weighs 157 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. Both are white.

Authorities said they may be in a white van with a Tennessee registration of 173GPS.