’Search inconclusive’ after crews look in N.C. pond for missing Tenn. toddler Evelyn Boswell

WILKES COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV) - Officials say a search was inconclusive after crews looked in an area in Wilkes County, North Carolina for missing 15-month-old Evelyn Boswell on Wednesday.

During a news conference, authorities confirmed that they were actively searching in a pond in Wilkes County. The search was related to the missing toddler.

Officials say the search was inconclusive to any facts to the investigation and all information has been reported back to the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations as they continue their efforts in this investigation.

Neighbors say the whole situation is scary.

“It’s awful,” said Michael Harrell, who added, “I hope they find her alive and not in the pond.”

The search for the 15-month-old from Tennessee has taken authorities to North Carolina before.

On February 21, Wilkes County deputies were searching for a stolen vehicle when they noticed BMW driving on Link Road in Elkin, North Carolina.

That vehicle was being driven by Angela Boswell, Evelyn’s grandmother, who was taken into custody. The grandmother and boyfriend were arrested near the location in connection with the stolen car. That boyfriend had gone to his grandmother’s house to ask for money.

That house is adjacent to the pond that was searched on Wednesday.

Mary McCloud says she never saw the woman or any baby but felt certain the missing child was not in the pond.

“It’s a bunch of gossiping people that live around here that know that pond’s down there,” McCloud said.

Though nothing conclusive was found by authorities she hopes they do have better luck elsewhere finding the child.

“I hope she’s alive but there’s some pretty deviant people in this world today,” McCloud said.

Evelyn's mother, Megan Boswell was arrested Tuesday night.

According to court documents, Sullivan County investigators made contact with Megan Boswell after receiving information about a missing child from the Department of Children Services on Feb. 18.

Megan Boswell reportedly told investigators Evelyn was with the child’s father, Ethan Perry. Megan Boswell said she was supposed to meet Perry on Feb. 19 at 4 p.m. at the Ingles parking lot in Colonial Heights to pick up Evelyn.

After further investigation, detectives discovered Perry is actively enlisted in the U.S. Army and is currently stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and did not have possession of Evelyn.

Investigators said Megan Boswell faces charges of false reporting to law enforcement in response to a legitimate inquiry.

Angela Boswell, Evelyn's grandmother was taken into custody last week on theft charges after she was found driving a BMW which had been reported stolen.

Officials said Melissa Wood reported her 2007 BMW had been stolen by Angela Boswell on Feb. 20. The BMW was reportedly going to be sold to Megan Boswell but officials said no agreement of purchase was made and no money was exchanged.

The vehicle was never returned to Wood, who told officials she could not make contact with Angela Boswell.

🚨 MISSING TODDLER 🚨 PLEASE SHARE! Deputies in Tennessee are searching for a toddler who has not been seen by family members for more than two months.
Posted by WBTV News on Wednesday, February 19, 2020

On February 21, Wilkes County deputies were searching for the stolen vehicle when they noticed the BMW driving on Link Road in Elkin, North Carolina.

According to court document, the BMW was stopped with Angela Boswell in the passenger seat and her boyfriend, William McCloud, in the driver seat. Angela Boswell was charged with theft over $2,500.

The story of the ongoing search for Evelyn becomes increasingly convoluted with each passing day.