SUBJECT: KPD Searching for Missing Endangered Child (Update: Child Found Safe)
DATE: April 25th, 2024
CASE #: 24-006220
GENERAL NARRATIVE
Update:
Sephrona McCullough was found safe last night in North Carolina and is no longer considered missing and endangered. She was located with Mason McCullough, and he was taken into custody for especially aggravated kidnapping.
This is still an active and ongoing investigation.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
As previously released:
On April 21st, 2024, 8-month-old Sephrona McCullough was reported missing to the Kingsport Police Department by her mother, Shaylan Sutherland. Shaylan said that she allowed Sephrona’s father, Mason McCullough, to take Sephrona to North Carolina on April 14th. It is believed that Mason and Sephrona left the Lynn Garden area with an unknown male and unknown female on April 15th. Shaylan and Mason had agreed that he would return the child on or around April 19th. Shaylan last spoke with Mason via a messaging application on April 17th.
Kingsport Police Detectives, along with Agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, have spent the last 48 hours attempting to locate Mason and Sephrona. Detectives believe that Mason is in the costal area of North Carolina.
The circumstances of Sephrona’s disappearance do not presently meet the criteria for an Amber Alert. Due to her age and other factors learned in this investigation, Sephrona has been entered into NCIC as missing and endangered.
This is an active and ongoing investigation.
Anyone who sees Mason or Sephrona, or who may potentially know their current whereabouts, is asked to promptly call the Kingsport Police Department at 423-246-9111 or simply call 911 if emergency conditions exist.
Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:
https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us
SUSPECT INFORMATION
Name: Mason McCullough
Age: 22
Gender/Race: Male/White
Residency: Kingsport TN
Charges: Especially Aggravated Kidnapping
MISSING CHILD INFORMATION
Name: Sephrona McCullough
Age: 8 months old
Gender/Race: Female/White
Height/Weight: N/A/17lbs
Hair/Eyes: Blonde/Blue
Residency: Kingsport TN
Other Description: Dimple between nose and left eye
Last Known Location: Lynn Garden Area
RELEASING OFFICER
Corporal Brandon Johnson
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit
Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749
BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov
