Urgent Search Underway for Four Missing Children in Blythewood, South Carolina
BLYTHEWOOD, SOUTH CAROLINA — Authorities in Richland County are conducting an urgent search for four missing children who vanished around 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2025, near Slippery Elm Circle in Blythewood.
According to local updates shared by Michael Dean Shelton on social media, law enforcement officers and community members are working around the clock to locate the children, who were last seen playing near a residential neighborhood before disappearing.
So far, three of the children have been publicly identified as:
- Lacee Johnson, 10
- Naomi Bradley, 12
- Anastasia Bradley, 9
The name of the fourth missing child has not yet been released as of Sunday afternoon.
Community on Alert as Search Intensifies
Given the young ages of those missing, authorities say they are deeply concerned for the children’s safety. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department and South Carolina emergency units have been canvassing the area, using drones, K-9 teams, and neighborhood surveillance footage to piece together their last known movements.
Police are urging residents near Blythewood and surrounding neighborhoods to check home security or Ring cameras for any possible clues showing which direction the children may have gone after 8 p.m. Thursday.
“If seen, call 911 immediately,” officials emphasized in a public statement.
How Residents Can Help the Search
Anyone with information or video footage that might assist investigators is encouraged to contact:
- Richland County Sheriff’s Department: 803-576-3000
- Video Tip Line: 803-252-2911
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) 24-Hour Hotline: 1-800-843-5678
Local authorities and family members continue to plead with the community to share verified information online using hashtags such as #FindLaceeJohnson, #FindNaomiBradley, and #FindAnastasiaBradley, to increase awareness and visibility.
“Every Second Counts” — Family and Officials Plead for Public’s Help
As search teams work across Blythewood and neighboring areas, the families of the missing children are urging residents not to assume someone else has already reported sightings.
“Every second counts — and every share matters,” Shelton wrote in his post. “Please spread the word to help bring these children home safely.”
Photos released by authorities show the missing girls smiling in family portraits — reminders of the urgency behind the ongoing search. Local volunteers have begun organizing search efforts, distributing flyers, and offering food and support to responders.
Ongoing Investigation
As of Sunday evening, no confirmed sightings have been reported, and the investigation remains active. Law enforcement has not disclosed whether they suspect foul play or if the children may have wandered away together.
Officials continue to stress that the public’s awareness is critical. Anyone who may have been in the Slippery Elm Circle area Thursday night — even if they believe they saw nothing unusual — is asked to review phone footage, dashcams, or surveillance videos.
Have information that could help? Call 911 or contact the numbers listed above.
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