7-Year-Old La Vergne Girl Found Safe in Alabama After Overnight Alert

Authorities say Myla Roper was located and a woman, Malasia Elliott, is in custody

Mar. 28, 2026 at 4:48pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a child's shoelace, the harsh flash illuminating the textured fabric against a pitch-black background, conveying a sense of urgency and investigation surrounding the disappearance.A child's personal item found at the scene serves as a somber reminder of the high stakes involved in missing persons cases.La Vergne Today

A 7-year-old girl from La Vergne, Tennessee named Myla Roper, who triggered an endangered child alert on Friday, has been found safe in Alabama. Authorities say a woman named Malasia Elliott is now in custody in connection with the case, but details about the timeline of events and potential charges have not been released.

Why it matters

Endangered child alerts like this one mobilize local and state law enforcement resources quickly, relying on public tips and awareness to help locate missing or endangered children. The swift response and coordination between agencies can make a critical difference in reuniting children with their families.

The details

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, 7-year-old Myla Roper was reported missing on Friday from La Vergne. An endangered child alert was issued overnight, including details about Roper's appearance and a possible vehicle connected to the case - a 2015 red Chevrolet Impala with Alabama license plate 47c687w. Authorities say Roper has been found safe in Alabama and Malasia Elliott is now in custody, but they have not provided additional information about the timeline of events or any potential charges.

  • Myla Roper was reported missing on Friday from La Vergne.
  • An endangered child alert was issued overnight by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

The players

Myla Roper

A 7-year-old girl from La Vergne, Tennessee who was reported missing on Friday and found safe in Alabama.

Malasia Elliott

A woman who is now in custody in connection with the disappearance of Myla Roper.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

The state law enforcement agency that issued the endangered child alert and coordinated the search for Myla Roper.

La Vergne Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that initially responded to the report of Myla Roper's disappearance.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Authorities have not yet released details on where in Alabama Myla Roper was located or whether formal charges have been filed against Malasia Elliott. The investigation is ongoing as law enforcement continues to gather information and interview witnesses.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical role that endangered child alerts and coordinated law enforcement efforts can play in quickly locating missing or endangered children. The public's vigilance and willingness to report any relevant information is essential to these types of successful recoveries.