Boy's Phone Only Had 4% Battery When He Called 911 to Report He Was Lost with Grandma and Siblings on Hike

4 days ago 10

"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," the local sheriff said

Published on November 26, 2025 11:37AM EST

Michael Lawton, Tonda Michelin, Dale Moser and Melody Bangs, who were found alive and "safe" after going missing overnight during a hike in South Carolina. Credit :

Greenville County Sheriff's Office/Facebook (4)

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New details are emerging after a grandmother and her three grandkids went missing during a hike in the South Carolina wilderness
The child who called 911 told dispatchers that his phone had 4 percent battery life remaining when he placed the call, according to Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis
The grandmother was found to be slightly dehydrated when the group was located, Lewis added

New details are emerging about the rescue of a grandmother and her three grandkids who got lost during a hike in South Carolina.

The Greenville County Sheriff's Office (GCSO) said one of the children called for help around 6:50 p.m. local time on Monday, Nov. 24, stating that he and three others, an adult woman and two other juveniles, had gotten lost in the area of Caesar’s Head.

The sheriff’s office later identified the missing individuals as grandmother Tonda Michelin and her three grandchildren: Melody Bangs, 14; Michael Lawton, 11; and Dale Moser, 9.

Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis said Lawton told dispatchers that he had just “4 percent battery life” on his phone when he called for help, according to USA Today.

"I'm pretty sure they were using their phones to try and find their way out,” Lewis explained.

GCSO Lieutenant Ryan Flood said officials found a white Nissan, which matched the description of the missing individuals’ car, at the Raven Falls following the 911 call, according to USA Today.

Fire crews said a K-9 with the sheriff's office found a positive scent on a trail Monday night, according to ABC affiliate WLOS-TV. The search was temporarily paused at one point due to fog, they added.

The missing hikers were “located safely” by search and rescue teams on the Bill Kimbrell trail on Tuesday, Nov. 25, the Greenville County Sheriff's Office previously announced.

Lewis said the group of missing hikers was found near a “pretty treacherous” ravine along the trail, according to USA Today.

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Michelin was slightly dehydrated when she and the three kids were found, the sheriff added.

"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.

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