Mom and 4 children rescued after becoming lost on trail after dark, NC cops say
A family that got lost on a hiking trip was rescued when deputies opted to use a drone to lead them through the dark, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office in Monroe.
The call for help came around 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Jesse Helms Park in Wingate, and involved a mom and four children of “middle-school age,” the sheriff’s office told The Charlotte Observer. Sunset was around 6:10 p.m. that day.
“What started as a Valentine’s Day family hike took a scary turn when it became dark, and they couldn’t find their way back out. Thankfully, the mom was able to call 911 so we could get deputies headed their way,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a Feb. 16 Facebook post.
“When deputies arrived, they tried using sirens and the air horn to guide the family closer to the park while additional units responded with a drone.”
When the sirens and air horn failed to work, a drone was launched and thermal imaging quickly located the family.
“From there, the operator guided deputies right to them and then helped lead everyone safely back to the park,” the sheriff’s office said. “We’re thankful this situation had a safe ending.”
The Facebook post detailing the rescue had racked up more than 2,000 reactions and comments as of Feb. 18, many lauding deputies for acting fast and trying multiple approaches.
“I have been lost in the same park with my two children a few years ago. It was a perplexing and a bit scary. Prayer helped me out, literally,” Andrea Entingh Whitaker wrote on the sheriff’s office Facebook page.
“When the leaves cover the trail, it’s really hard to see unless you already know where the path is. I imagine at night it’s even harder,” Jeannie Clark Marsden posted.
Jesse Helms Park is about a 35-mile drive southeast from uptown Charlotte. The park is approximately 229 acres, with about 44 acres of open space and 185 acres of woodlands.
It features a 2.4-mile trail that loops through the woods, according to All Trails. “This trail is great for hiking, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring,” Alltrails.com says.
This story was originally published February 18, 2026 at 8:16 AM with the headline "Mom and 4 children rescued after becoming lost on trail after dark, NC cops say."