SUBJECT:  KPD Searching for Missing Adult (Update: Found Safe)

DATE:  May 15th, 2025

CASE #: 25-006016

GENERAL NARRATIVE

Update: Thomas DeGroat Jr. has been found safe and is no longer missing. The Kingsport Police Department would like to thank the public for their assistance.

 

As previously released:

 

The Kingsport Police Department is searching for 33-year-old Thomas DeGroat Jr. Thomas was last seen walking on Fort Henry Drive on the afternoon of 05/07/2025.

 

Anyone with information on Thomas’ whereabouts is asked to contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.

 

Alternatively, if an individual who can provide information to this or any 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

 

MISSING PERSON INFORMATION

Name Thomas DeGroat Jr.

Age 33

Gender/Race Male/White

Residency Fort Henry Drive in Kingsport TN

Last Known Location Fort Henry Drive

 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

SUBJECT:  KPD Searching for Missing Adult

DATE:  May 13th, 2025

CASE #: 25-006016

GENERAL NARRATIVE

The Kingsport Police Department is searching for 33-year-old Thomas DeGroat Jr. Thomas was last seen walking on Fort Henry Drive on the afternoon of 05/07/2025.

 

Anyone with information on Thomas’ whereabouts is asked to contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.

 

Alternatively, if an individual who can provide information to this or any 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

 

MISSING PERSON INFORMATION

Name Thomas DeGroat Jr.

Age 33

Gender/Race Male/White

Residency Fort Henry Drive in Kingsport TN

Last Known Location Fort Henry Drive

 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

SUBJECT:  KPD Searching for Runaway Juvenile (Rerelease)

DATE:  May 6th, 2025 

CASE #: 25-004430

GENERAL NARRATIVE

Rerelease: The Kingsport Police Department is still searching for Exenia “Scarlett” Pafford and seeking any information that could assist in locating her.

 

As previously released:

 

The Kingsport Police Department is searching for 15-year-old, Exenia “Scarlett” Pafford. Exenia is believed to have left voluntarily from an address on Watterson Street. Exenia is a white female, last seen wearing a white shirt and gray sweatpants. Exenia has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a runaway Juvenile.

 

Anyone with information on Exenia’s whereabouts is asked to contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.

 

Alternatively, if an individual who can provide information to this or any 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

 

MISSING PERSON INFORMATION

Name Exenia “Scarlett” Pafford 

Age 15

Gender/Race Female/White 

Residency Watterson Street in Kingsport TN 

Possible Clothing White shirt and gray sweatpants

Last Known Location Watterson Street

 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

SUBJECT:  KPD Recognizes Correctional Employees During National Corrections Officers Week  

DATE:  May 5^th, 2025  

GENERAL NARRATIVE

The Kingsport Police Department proudly recognizes and honors its Corrections Officers during National Corrections Officers Week, observed May 4–11, 2025. This annual event shines a much-deserved spotlight on the dedicated men and women who serve behind the walls, ensuring the safety, security, and order of the Kingsport City Jail.  Corrections Officers play a vital, often unseen role in public safety. Their work demands professionalism, integrity, and resilience as they manage complex situations and uphold the law in a secure environment. These officers are responsible for the custody and care of inmates and maintaining a safe working environment within the Kingsport City Jail.

National Correctional Officers and Employees Week is celebrated annually in the first full week of May.  It is a week that honors the dedication and professionalism of correctional officers and correctional staff to acknowledge their vital role in maintaining safety and security within correctional facilities.  National Correctional Officer’s Week was established by Presidential Proclamation in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan. 

The Kingsport City Jail employs 8 full time Corrections Officer and 1 full time Jail Administrator.  The jail is staffed 24/7 and is certified to hold inmates for up to 72 hours before being transferred to county facilities.  The Kingsport Police Department invites the community to join in thanking these professionals for their vital service to the City of Kingsport.   

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Lieutenant Justin McConnell

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9499, Fax (423) 343-9749 

JustinMcConnell@KingsportTN.gov

 

 

 

SUBJECT:  KPD Searching for Runaway Juveniles (Update: One of Two Found Safe)

DATE:  May 5th, 2025 

CASE #: 25-005035

GENERAL NARRATIVE

Update: Page Ballard has been found safe and is no longer missing. The Kingsport Police Department would like to thank the public for your assistance. Skyla Cheng is still missing and entered in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a runaway juvenile.

 

As previously released:

 

The Kingsport Police Department is searching for two runaway juveniles. The pair are Page Ballard, aged 15, and Skyla Cheng, aged 16.  Page Ballard is a white female, with green eyes and brown hair, 5’3″ tall, and 145 lbs.  She was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt with a pink logo on the front.  Skyla Cheng is a white/Asian female, with brown eyes and brown hair, 5’6″ tall, 110 lbs., with an unknown clothing description.  Both left without being seen from an address on New Beason Well Road, where they were in the care and custody of the Department of Child Services.  Both Page and Skyla have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as runaway Juveniles.

 

Anyone with information on either Page Ballard’s or Skyla Cheng’s whereabouts is asked to contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.

 

Alternatively, if an individual who can provide information to this or any 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

 

MISSING PERSON INFORMATION

Name Skyla Cheng

Age 16

Gender/Race Female/White 

Height/Weight 5’6″/110 Lbs. 

Hair/Eyes Brown/Brown

Residency Kingsport TN 

Possible Clothing Unknown Clothing Description

Last Known Location New Beason Well Road

 

 

 

MISSING PERSON INFORMATION

Name Page Ballard

Age 15

Gender/Race Female/White 

Height/Weight 5’3″/145 Lbs. 

Hair/Eyes Brown/Green

Residency Kingsport TN 

Possible Clothing Black sweatshirt with pink logo on the front

Last Known Location New Beason Well Road

 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov