From left to right: Melody Bangs, Michael Lawton, Dale Moser and Tonda Michelin. The four missing hikers who were found at Caesars Head State Park.
Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis provides an update after the finding of the missing hikers Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, at Caesars Head State Park in Cleveland, South Carolina.
Greenville County Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle sits parked as search crews locate missing grandmother and three kids at Caesar's Head State Park

A woman and her three grandchildren who were missing for nearly 24 hours after departing for a hike in South Carolina have been found safe, authorities said.

Tonda Michelin, 53, and her grandchildren Melody Bangs, 14; Michael Lawton, 11; and Dale Moser, 9, got lost at Caesar's Head State Park, part of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range. One of the children called 911 the evening of Nov. 24 at about 6:50 p.m. to report they had been lost for three hours, according to Lt. Ryan Flood with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office.

A multi-agency search located the four near a "pretty treacherous" ravine on the Bill Kimbrell trail, about 2 miles into the woods from the Raven Falls trailhead where they began their hike, Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis said.

Flood said after responding to the 911 call, officials found a white Nissan at the Raven Falls trailhead matching the description of their car. The search party found them at about 2:12 p.m. on Nov. 25.

Lewis said the place where the family was discovered still has a lot of damage from Tropical Storm Helene in 2024 and had been closed.

Lewis said Michelin was slightly dehydrated when found.

"With Thanksgiving a couple of days away. I'm sure there will be a lot of conversation and a lot of things to thank the Lord for," Lewis said.

During the call, Flood said Lawton, who made the report, told dispatchers that he only had "4% battery life" remaining. Lewis said the boy was "wise enough" to call 911 instead of waiting until his phone died.

"I'm pretty sure they were using their phones to try and find their way out, but you just don't have a lot of signal here, but certainly be prepared. Know what you're getting into," Lewis said.

More than 50 people from six agencies were on the trail searching for the family, using helicopters, drones, utility terrain vehicles and other search tools.

Nearly eight months ago, 52-year-old Stephanie Womacks went missing at Table Rock State Park while camping. Search crews did not locate Womacks. Table Rock and Caesar's Head, two of the mountainous areas in northern Pickens and Greenville County, are 13 miles apart. Both are a part of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range and are remote.

Lewis said anyone looking to hike in some of the remote parts of the county should take extra safety precautions.

"Let somebody know where you're going and how long you plan to be gone. Don't stray off of the path. If you want to look at something, don't get distracted and recognize that you don't have all the answers. Ask a park ranger or get a map," Lewis said.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Missing woman and 3 grandkids found a day after getting lost on hike

Reporting by Terry Benjamin II, USA TODAY NETWORK / Greenville News

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