Bethany Markowski had freckles across her nose and a personality that was sassy, sweet, and completely herself.
She was 11 years old on March 4, 2001, when she disappeared from Tennessee.
She has never been found.
This is her story. It is also her mother’s story. And it is, in ways that still matter 25 years later, an open story, because Bethany Markowski’s case has never been closed, no one has ever been charged, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation considers it active to this day.
If you found this page because you searched for Bethany Markowski, her name, her father, her case, or whether she was ever found, you are in the right place. This is the most complete account of what happened, what is known, and what is still being done to find her.
Who Bethany Was
Bethany Leanne Markowski was born on February 1, 1990, in Tennessee. She was a fifth grader with a wide smile and an eye-roll she had already perfected. She loved art. She was close to her mother, Jonnie Carter, and to her family.
Her parents, Jonnie Carter and Larry Markowski, had separated and were in the middle of a contentious divorce and custody dispute when Bethany disappeared. Jonnie had moved with Bethany to the Nashville area. Larry lived in Gleason, Tennessee, more than 100 miles away.
Because of concerns about Larry’s behavior, including reported abuse and control issues that had led to a protective order, Jonnie was determined to follow the custody agreement to the letter. That meant Bethany had to go for weekend visits with her father.
The weekend of March 2–4, 2001 was only Bethany’s second visitation weekend with her father under the new arrangement.
It was the last time anyone outside of Larry Markowski claims to have seen her.
What Happened on March 4, 2001
The timeline of Bethany’s disappearance has been documented by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the FBI, WBBJ-TV, and other news outlets. Here is what is publicly known:
The weekend before
Jonnie’s sister, Lori Jackson, drove Bethany to the custody exchange point near the Waverly exit off Interstate 40, a neutral halfway location used because a restraining order prevented Jonnie and Larry from being near each other. Larry picked Bethany up on Friday and took her to his home in Gleason, Tennessee.
That weekend, Larry drove Bethany to Little Rock, Arkansas to visit his friend Harold. This trip was initially denied by Larry but later confirmed by Harold. It is the last confirmed sighting of Bethany by anyone other than her father.
Sunday, March 4 — the day she vanished
Morning Jonnie calls to check on Bethany. She hears Larry yelling in the background. Bethany sounds scared.
12:12 PM Bethany calls her half-sister Jenny from Larry’s phone and says they just left Gleason, headed to Old Hickory Mall in Jackson. However, cell tower records place the call near Natchez Trace State Park, not Gleason.
1:30–2:00 PM Larry later claims this is when they arrived at Old Hickory Mall in Jackson, Tennessee.
~2:00 PM A conflicting report places Larry alone at a gas station in Parkers Crossroads, 25 miles from Jackson, around this time. He reportedly told someone there he had ‘just dropped off’ his daughter. Bethany was not with him.
Afternoon Larry claims he parked at the mall, let Bethany out near Claire’s and the arcade, and fell asleep in the van. He says when he woke up approximately 30 minutes later, she was gone.
~5:00 PM Bethany is supposed to be returned to Aunt Lori at the Waverly exit. She never arrives. Lori makes repeated calls to Larry. He does not answer.
5:15 PM Larry reports Bethany missing to Old Hickory Mall security.
6:00 PM Jackson Police Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation arrive on scene.
Critical finding: Mall security footage was reviewed by investigators. No surveillance footage ever showed Bethany entering, exiting, or anywhere inside Old Hickory Mall on March 4, 2001. Her image was not captured on a single camera at any point during the day.
No physical evidence, no clothing, and no personal items were ever found at the scene.
What Investigators Found + What Didn’t Add Up
In the months and years following Bethany’s disappearance, investigators from the Jackson Police Department, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), and the FBI all reviewed the case. Several elements of the account given by Larry Markowski did not hold up under scrutiny.
The van
Law enforcement sought to examine Larry’s van as potential evidence. Before investigators could conduct a thorough examination, the van had been cleaned inside and out. This was documented by WBBJ-TV and has been a point of ongoing concern for investigators and Jonnie alike. The cleaning occurred before TBI could fully process the vehicle.
Blood evidence
According to reporting by WBBJ-TV, investigators found blood droplets in the van. The significance of this finding and its role in the investigation has been part of the public record of the case.
The polygraph
Larry Markowski did not pass a polygraph examination related to Bethany’s disappearance. He subsequently stopped cooperating with law enforcement. He has maintained his innocence and has stated publicly that he believes Bethany will return. No charges have ever been filed against him.
The Parkers Crossroads account
The witness account placing Larry alone at a gas station in Parkers Crossroads, 25 miles from Old Hickory Mall, around the time he claims to have been at the mall, has never been fully reconciled with his official account of events.
The cell phone ping
The 12:12 PM call from Bethany to her half-sister was routed through a cell tower near Natchez Trace State Park. Larry’s account placed them in Gleason at that time. The two locations do not match.
Where the investigation stands: Investigators have never ruled out either of Bethany’s parents as suspects in her disappearance. They have also stated it is possible Bethany was abducted by a stranger. The Charley Project, which maintains one of the most comprehensive cold case databases in the country, reflects this official position. No arrests have ever been made. No charges have ever been filed.
The Mystery Woman and The Sightings That Were Never Explained
In the weeks and months following Bethany’s disappearance, multiple witnesses came forward with accounts of seeing a girl matching Bethany’s description in the company of an unknown woman.
The woman was described as approximately 40 years old, white, with frizzy blonde hair and dark circles under her eyes. Witnesses reported seeing her with a girl matching Bethany’s description in multiple locations across southeastern Tennessee.
- One witness reported the woman attempted to enroll a girl in a southeastern Tennessee school in April 2001, one month after Bethany went missing, but did not have custody documents.
- Another witness reported seeing the woman and the girl boarding a Greyhound bus. Investigators believed they may have traveled toward Moline, Illinois.
Law enforcement investigated these leads but was never able to identify the woman or confirm the identity of the child with her. The sightings have never been explained.
Jonnie Carter + 25 Years of Not Giving Up
Jonnie Carter was a young mother when her daughter disappeared. She has spent every year since fighting for Bethany, for answers, and eventually for every other family in Tennessee who knows what it feels like to have a child vanish without explanation.
“I was so mad — crying, angry mad — that we even have to have a Missing Children’s Day, that we even have to talk about this.” — Jonnie Carter, March 2026
Jonnie has spoken publicly about the fact that her family experienced child abuse before Bethany’s disappearance. One of the reasons she moved Bethany away from their childhood home was the hope that Bethany could have a safer life and a fresh start. She followed every rule of the custody agreement, did everything right by the law, and still lost her daughter.
That history of surviving abuse, of fighting through the family court system, of trying to protect her child through proper legal channels, and still losing her, shapes everything Jonnie has built since.
What Jonnie built from the loss
In 2017, Jonnie successfully advocated for the passage of Tennessee Code § 15-2-127, establishing March 4 as Tennessee Missing Children’s Day — observed statewide every year on the anniversary of Bethany’s disappearance. She worked with Representative Darren Jernigan to make it law.
In October 2025, she incorporated The Bethany Markowski Foundation. In January 2026, the foundation received its federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. On March 4, 2026, the 25th anniversary of Bethany’s disappearance, the foundation held its first public event at Capitol Theatre in Lebanon, Tennessee. Over 100 people came.
“There’s no handbook when your child goes missing [for Tennessee families]. There’s nothing that tells you what to do, who to call, what your rights are. We are building that now.” — Jonnie Carter
CNN covered Jonnie’s story in March 2026, describing a mother who has “found a way to live alongside the pain” and channel it into purpose. She has been covered by WKRN Nashville, WBBJ-TV Jackson, People magazine, and others over the years. Every interview, every media appearance, every public event serves the same purpose: keeping Bethany’s name in front of people who might remember something.
Where the Case Stands Today + Bethany Markowski Update 2026
Bethany Markowski’s case is classified as Endangered Missing by both the FBI and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. It remains an active investigation.
- TBI Case Number: 01-4723
- NCMEC Case Number: 906662
- NamUs Missing Persons Number: MP #4238
- FBI: maintains an official wanted poster for information related to Bethany’s disappearance
- Age progression: NCMEC has produced age-progressed images showing what Bethany may look like today — she would be 35 years old
TBI Agent Cathy Ferguson serves as the current case agent. District Attorney Jody Pickens of the 26th Judicial District is also connected to the case. No charges have been filed. No arrests have been made.
Larry Markowski continues to deny any involvement in Bethany’s disappearance. He has stated publicly that he believes she will return.
Active review: Bethany’s case is currently the subject of ongoing forensic attention. While we are not sharing details at this time in order to protect the integrity of the process, we can say that the investigation into Bethany’s disappearance has not slowed down — it has expanded. New tools, new science, and new eyes are being brought to bear on this case.
Was Bethany Markowski Ever Found?
No. Bethany Markowski has never been found.
As of April 2026, she remains listed as missing with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the FBI, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and NamUs. Her case has never been closed. She has been missing for 25 years.
If you found this page searching for an update on Bethany Markowski’s case, there is no resolution to report. But there is an active search, and there is a foundation working every day to keep her name alive and her case in front of the people who need to see it.
How You Can Help Find Bethany
After 25 years, tips and information are still the most valuable tools investigators have. If you know anything about Bethany Markowski’s disappearance, no matter how small or how long ago it happened, please report it.
- TBI Tip Line: 1-800-TBI-FIND (1-800-824-3463) — available 24 hours a day
- Email tips: tips@findbethany.org — anonymous tips accepted on the foundation website
- Jackson Police Department: (731) 425-8400
- NCMEC: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
You can also submit an anonymous tip directly at findbethany.org/tips. No name or email address is recorded.
Free Child ID Kits + What Jonnie Wishes She Had
When Bethany disappeared, Jonnie did not have a fingerprint card. She did not have a DNA sample. She did not have a formal child ID kit. In the chaos of those first hours, when every second counted, she was working from memory, from school photos, from whatever she could find.
That is why the Bethany Markowski Foundation offers free child fingerprinting at community events across Tennessee. And it is why we point every Tennessee parent to these free resources right now, before you ever need them:
- TN KidKit — free from the TBI at tn.gov/tbi — stores your child’s photo, description, fingerprints, and contacts in one place on your phone
- National Child Identification Program — free inkless fingerprint kits at childidprogram.com
- McGruff Safe Kids ID Kit — free at mcgruffsafekit.com — includes fingerprint cards, photo ID, and DNA collection guidance
These take less than 10 minutes. Jonnie has spent 25 years wishing she had taken those 10 minutes.
How to Advocate for Missing Children in Tennessee
Bethany’s case changed Tennessee law. Her mother’s 25 years of advocacy created Tennessee Missing Children’s Day, strengthened child protection legislation, and built a foundation that now serves families across the state. Advocacy works and there are specific things you can do right now.
Share Bethany’s case
The single most powerful thing anyone can do is keep Bethany’s name in circulation. Share this post. Share her photos. Share her case on social media, especially on the anniversaries of her disappearance (March 4) and her birthday (February 1). Cold cases are solved by people who remember a detail years later when they finally see a face again.
Contact your Tennessee legislators
The foundation actively supports legislation that protects children and strengthens missing persons investigations in Tennessee. You can find and contact your state representative and senator at capitol.tn.gov. Tell them you support stronger child safety laws and cold case investigation resources.
Attend Tennessee Missing Children’s Day — March 4
Every March 4, Tennessee observes Missing Children’s Day in Bethany’s honor under Tennessee Code § 15-2-127. The Bethany Markowski Foundation holds a community event annually. Follow us at findbethany.org to find out about next year’s event and how to participate.
Support other Tennessee missing children’s cases
Tennessee has hundreds of active missing children cases. The TBI maintains a public database at tn.gov/tbi. NCMEC maintains a national searchable database at missingkids.org. Sharing active cases on social media costs nothing and may be the reason someone remembers something important.
The most powerful form of advocacy is refusing to forget. Share Bethany’s story. Share this post. Keep her name alive.
Volunteer With the Bethany Markowski Foundation
We are a small, newly formed nonprofit run entirely by volunteers. Jonnie has spent 25 years doing this largely alone. We are building something larger now, and we need people who believe this work matters to help us build it.
You do not need to be in Lebanon, Tennessee. Many of our most-needed roles can be done entirely remotely. You do not need experience in nonprofit work. You need skills, reliability, and a belief that children deserve better protection than they currently have.
Roles we need filled right now
| Role | Skills Helpful | What You’d Actually Do |
| Social Media Volunteer | Canva, Instagram, Facebook, creative writing | Draft and schedule monthly posts, create graphics, reply to comments |
| Grant Research Volunteer | Research skills, detail-oriented, nonprofit interest | Research funding opportunities on Candid and Goodstack, track deadlines |
| Video Production Volunteer | Filming, editing (DaVinci Resolve or similar) | Record and edit child safety course videos, support mini-documentary |
| Website & Tech Volunteer | WordPress, basic web editing | Update findbethany.org, help set up online course platform |
| Event Coordination Volunteer | Project management, community connections | Coordinate Wilson County Fair booth, fingerprinting event logistics |
| Newsletter Volunteer | Writing, email marketing (Kit/ConvertKit) | Draft monthly newsletter for review and send |
| Case Research Volunteer | Research background, discretion, attention to detail | FOIA follow-up, NamUs/NCMEC monitoring, case data archiving |
Who we’re looking for
We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. Some of the places we’re actively recruiting from:
- Faith communities: If you are connected to a faith community in Wilson County or Middle Tennessee, we would love to hear from you.
- College students: From MTSU, Cumberland University in Lebanon, and Vol State, particularly students in Criminal Justice, Communications, Marketing, Social Work, and Nonprofit Management programs.
- Professionals: Marketing professionals, grant writers, nonprofit workers, and project managers in Middle Tennessee.
- Online volunteers: If you have skills we need and a few hours a month, geography is not a barrier.
Ready to volunteer? Email us at volunteer@findbethany.org or fill out our volunteer interest form at findbethany.org/volunteer. Tell us your skills and how much time you have. We will find the right fit.
Every person who joins this team multiplies what Jonnie can do for Bethany and for every Tennessee family that comes after. We are not a polished organization yet. We are a determined one. If that’s the kind of work you want to be part of, we want to hear from you!
Support the Foundation Jonnie Built
The Bethany Markowski Foundation exists because one mother refused to let her daughter’s disappearance be forgotten, and refused to let other families go through what hers did without support.
We are building two free programs for Tennessee families:
- The Tennessee Families of Missing Children Handbook — a plain-language guide for families in the first 24 hours after a child goes missing
- Free online child safety courses — covering online threats, AI deepfakes, the Check First Rule, and what to do when a child goes missing, and more
Both are completely free. Both are funded entirely by donations.
Help Jonnie keep searching + and help us protect every Tennessee child. Donate at givebutter.com/gptnQ8
Don’t Forget Her
Bethany Markowski would be 35 years old today. She was a little girl who deserved to grow up.
Her mother has never stopped fighting for her. Her case has never been closed. Her name has never stopped mattering.
If you know something, anything, please call 1-800-TBI-FIND.
About The Bethany Markowski Foundation
The Bethany Markowski Foundation is a Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 41-2321010) in Lebanon, TN, founded by Jonnie Carter in memory of Bethany Leanne Markowski (NCMEC #906662, NamUs MP #4238, TBI Case #01-4723). We support families of missing children and provide free child safety education across Tennessee.
Volunteer: volunteer@findbethany.org | findbethany.org/volunteer | findbethany.org | (615) 784-3287 | Donate: givebutter.com/gptnQ8
