Missing Georgia Camper Found Safe in Sierra Nevada
A missing camper from Georgia has been located in the Sierra Nevada region of California, and she expressed that she felt “miraculously alive.” Tiffany Slaton, 27, from Jefferson, was discovered on Wednesday after the owner of the Vermillion Valley Resort, near Lake Edison in Fresno County, noticed that one of his cabins was occupied. According to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, when Christopher Gutierrez approached, Slaton jumped out, didn’t say much, and instinctively ran toward him, looking for a hug. It was a surreal moment for him when he realized her identity.
Slaton was reported missing by her family on April 29 after they hadn’t heard from her for nine days. Fortunately, she was found dehydrated, but otherwise in good condition.
In the wake of her rescue, there were ongoing searches in the area, and a lawmaker even met with the resort owner to confirm Slaton’s identity. Emergency medical personnel were dispatched to check on her. On Wednesday, police confirmed that the resort owner had intentionally left the cabin unlocked to provide a potential shelter for anyone lost in the harsh conditions.
Slaton’s father, Bobby, shared his relief, saying that the day was one of the best they’ve experienced, comparable only to the birth of their child. He expressed immense gratitude toward the Fresno Sheriff’s Department and the search and rescue teams, as well as the community’s efforts in searching for his daughter.
Her mother, Fredrina, recounted feeling overwhelmed with emotion upon hearing the news, saying she just wanted to hold her daughter. Once Slaton could get a cell signal while coming down the mountain, she reached out to her dad, which brought tears to his eyes. “I was praying for her safety, and I just felt so relieved,” Bobby said.
Prior to her discovery, a comprehensive search was conducted on Mount Slaton between May 6 and May 10. Moving forward, detectives plan to meet with Tiffany to gather more details about her experiences during the ordeal.
