Police in South Carolina are reaching out to the public for help finding an endangered teenager who hasn’t been seen since late November 2025.
In a statement issued Friday, Jan. 2, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department said the 16-year-old Mackenzie Dalton she is believed to be in the company of a man she allegedly knows.
The police, who could not answer Us WeeklyThe questions did not provide that man’s name or a physical description of the suspect.
Deputies have been searching for Dalton since she was last seen leaving her Lexington home in late November. Police said Dalton is a fugitive.
According to police, Dalton is 5-foot-4 and weighs approximately 118 pounds. He has long blonde hair and light eyes. Police did not say what she may have been wearing when she was last seen.
According to Lexington County Sheriff’s deputies, both the car Dalton drove in and the suitcase he was seen carrying when he left his home have been found. Investigators have not shared where her possessions were found, but reiterated that Dalton remains missing.
Authorities also said they believe Dalton is in danger, due to her age and the length of time she has been missing. Police have not released the age of the man he is traveling with.
The sheriff’s department has not said whether foul play is suspected in Dalton’s disappearance. At this point, they were also unable to determine if a specific crime was committed related to Dalton’s disappearance.
Anyone who has seen Dalton or can provide information on his whereabouts is being asked to share that information anonymously through the Crimestoppers mobile app or by calling (888) 274-6372.
Investigators said even details you might think are insignificant could help them reunite Dalton with her family and make sure she’s safe.
Anyone who believes they have immediate or time-sensitive information is encouraged to contact local law enforcement without delay by dialing 911.
In South Carolina, more than 2,500 people go missing each year, and the state has a high rate of missing children, with many cases going unsolved for long periods, with runaways like Dalton making up a significant portion.
In 2023, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) reported more than 200 children missing, and in 2022, SLED said there were more than 200 children missing.
It is believed the man Dalton is traveling with could face prison time in South Carolina, where kidnapping is a felony. A kidnapping conviction in the state carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years. The state does not differentiate sentencing based on aggravating factors, although judges have discretion within that range.
If you know of a young person who is being exploited or who is the victim of a crime, please report it to your local FBI office by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also be left at tips.fbi.gov



