About

The Bethany Markowski Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Wilson County, Tennessee (EIN: 41-2321010), founded to support families of missing children and promote child safety education across our state.

The foundation was established in honor of Bethany Leanne Markowski, an 11-year-old girl who disappeared from Jackson, Tennessee on March 4, 2001. Her case remains open under active investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The foundation exists to be Bethany's voice that was lost — and to ensure that no Tennessee family ever faces a missing child emergency without support, community, and hope.

The foundation was built from 25 years of advocacy by Bethany's mother, Jonnie Carter, who also helped pass Tennessee Code § 15-2-127, designating March 4 as Tennessee Missing Children's Day — an official state observance. The Bethany Markowski Foundation is the first organized nonprofit to grow from that advocacy.

CORE PROGRAMS
— Free children's fingerprinting services (ages 1–17)
— Family support services for families of missing children
— Child safety education programming
— Community search coordination
— Case documentation and research
All foundation services are free to families in crisis.

TENNESSEE MISSING CHILDREN'S DAY — MARCH 4, 2026
The foundation's inaugural public event will be held on March 4, 2026 — the 25th anniversary of Bethany's disappearance — at Capitol Theatre, 110 W Main St, Lebanon, TN. The evening includes a speaker program, candlelight vigil, free children's fingerprinting, silent auction, and child safety education resources. Free admission. All ages welcome.

If you have information about Bethany Markowski, please contact the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND or NCMEC at 1-800-THE-LOST. Tips may be anonymous.

Contact: media@bethanymarkowski.com | (615) 784-3287 | bethanymarkowski.com