Missing South Carolina teen Mackenzie Dalton found safe after monthlong search leads to arrest

A South Carolina teen who was reported missing precocious past twelvemonth has been recovered harmless and a antheral has been arrested successful the case, authorities said.

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Office said Mackenzie Dalton, 16, was recovered successful Lexington County pursuing an probe into her disappearance.

Deputies said determination is nary denotation Dalton was ever held against her volition oregon with idiosyncratic she did not privation to beryllium with.

Dalton was reported missing aft she was past seen leaving her location successful precocious Nov., according to a connection from the sheriff’s bureau connected Jan. 2. At the time, authorities said she was considered an endangered juvenile owed to her property and the magnitude of the clip she had been gone.

Lexington County deputies said 16-year-old Mackenzie Dalton, missing since precocious November, was recovered harmless Jan. 6, 2026. (Lexington County Sheriff's Office/Facebook)

TEEN GIRL VANISHES FROM SOUTH CAROLINA HOME, POLICE FEAR SHE'S IN SERIOUS DANGER AFTER MONTHLONG SEARCH

Investigators antecedently said they believed Dalton whitethorn person been with a antheral she knew, though authorities did not merchandise the man's identity.

The sheriff’s bureau said the conveyance Dalton drove distant successful and the suitcase she took from her location were recovered during the investigation. The teen was described arsenic 5 feet, 4 inches gangly and weighing 118 pounds.

Police arrested Mackenzie Keith English Jr., 18, successful this case. He was charged with obstruction of justice. He is accused of lying to investigators astir being with Dalton and his cognition of her location. (Lexington County Sheriff's Office)

In transportation with the case, deputies arrested Mackenzie Keith English Jr., 18, charging him with obstruction of justice.

Authorities said English is accused of lying to investigators astir being with Dalton and astir his cognition of her whereabouts.

Investigators said 16-year-old Mackenzie Dalton, who near her location successful precocious November, has been recovered safe. (AWARE Foundation)

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English is being held astatine the Lexington County Detention Center, the sheriff’s bureau said.