Mackenzie Dalton disappeared from her South Carolina home in late November 2025. The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department found the car the 16-year-old drove and the suitcase she packed, but they could not find the teen. Investigators released very few details about her disappearance but noted they believed she took off with a man she knew. Many feared the worst when the holidays came and went without any sign of Dalton. On January 6, she miraculously reappeared unharmed. Now an 18-year-old man faces charges in the case.
The sheriff’s office announced deputies arrested Mackenzie Keith English Jr. on obstruction charges. “He is accused of lying to investigators about being with Dalton and his knowledge of her location,” the sheriff’s office shared in a news release posted on social media.
Although many commenters on the post thanked police for their work locating Dalton, some questioned the teenager’s motive and why she’s not facing charges as well.
“So, you’re charging an 18 year old kid for not snitching out his girlfriend who didn’t want to be found. It might be the letter of the law, and we don’t know what’s going on in the home (or why she ran) but imagine being that kid and caught in that impossible position,” someone commend on Facebook. “Again, this is probably much more complicated than any of us know, but since it was made clear she was not taken against her will I would hope they aren’t too hard him.”
“There should be consequences for her behavior as well! Causing her family to go through this horrific situation. Along with all involved in trying to locate her. The manpower and the cost that went into this,” another person agreed.
But some wonder what Dalton was running away from.
“Ya never know what’s going on in her home. I hope she’s not forced to go back to a bad situation she’s clearly trying to leave. Never know with these situations,” one comment reads.
One commenter claimed that Dalton had a troubled home life, and that’s why she ran. “I really hope she opens up about what’s been going on at home so she can get proper help. Sending hugs!” someone wrote.
Hopefully, the police can get to the bottom of what really happened and both Dalton and English receive a just resolution.
