Summer Wells lead investigator says other legal troubles haven’t moved the case forward | WJHL

ROGERSVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — In February, Hawkins County Sheriff Ronnie Lawson informed News Channel 11 that the Wells family had attorneys and was not cooperating.

The lead investigator for the Summer season Wells case spelled out how that and the actuality Summer’s father is in jail on unrelated fees have been things in the investigation.

“The loved ones has attorneys concerned, and that is not a direct line of interaction,” mentioned Detective John Pruitt with the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Business (HCSO).

That tone is really the alter from what it was final calendar year when Summertime was to start with documented lacking in June.

“It was quite superior,” he recalled. “We would present up about every single day and make positive they were being Alright — experienced a first rate line of interaction with them.”

About a thirty day period later on in July 2021, Child Protective Products and services taken out Summer’s 3 older brothers from their property and appointed lawyers to the scenario.

“They have been appointed for other cases but it bleeds more than into this investigation as effectively,” Pruitt spelled out.

When questioned about Summer’s father, Don Wells, getting in jail on unrelated charges, Pruitt claimed that performed no role in the investigation.

On Feb. 7, a judge requested Don Wells to provide the remainder of his 11 months and 29-day sentence in the Hawkins County Jail for driving beneath the impact and violation of his probation.

“With Mr. Wells, he is familiar with when he first came into the institution he appreciates that whenever he desires to talk to allow their personnel know, and I’ll get to him as fast as I can,” Pruitt stated. “The strains of interaction between me and the loved ones have improved, but I hope that they fully grasp that they can appear communicate to me at any time they want to.”