Bethany's parents, Larry and Johnie Jo, separated in January 2001. The couple's split was reportedly bitter. Bethany resided with her mother in Nashville, Tennessee afterwards. She spent several days with her father at his home in Gleason, Tennessee in early March 2001. Bethany and Larry were scheduled to meet Johnie Jo at the Waverly, Tennessee exit off of Interstate 40 during the afternoon on March 4, 2001. Bethany and Larry apparently spent part of the day in Little Rock, Arkansas, then drove back towards Tennessee. They stopped at Old Hickory Mall in Jackson, Tennessee at approximately 3:30 p.m. Larry told authorities that Bethany entered the shopping center alone while he slept in the vehicle. He awoke approximately one hour later and searched for her in the mall. He alerted law enforcement at 5:15 p.m. when he could not locate Bethany. Investigators said Bethany is not seen on the security camera videotapes at Old Hickory Mall on March 4. There is no proof that she actually entered the establishment.