‘God is good’: Missing 13-year-old girl found alive in woods near home

LINCOLNTON, N.C. — Deputies said a 13-year-old girl with special needs who disappeared from her Lincoln County home overnight Wednesday was found alive hours later.

Taylor Falls was found unconscious in a wooded area about a quarter of a mile from her home Wednesday afternoon, officials said. She soon regained consciousness and was taken to a hospital in stable condition.

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“I want her home,” Taylor’s mother, Wesley Lanier, said earlier when her daughter was still missing.

Officials said Taylor was last seen at her home along Sorrells Baxter Road in Cherryville around 11 p.m. Tuesday. Family members’ moods went from anxious and worrisome to joyful at about 6 p.m.

Have you seen her? Lincoln County search teams are looking for 13-year-old Taylor Falls. She's been missing since last night. Her family says she's had epileptic seizures in the past & they're worried. If you can help call Crime Stoppers at 704-736-8909 @wsoctv #MissingChild pic.twitter.com/56Y0hWp3FT
— Tina Terry (@TinaTerryWSOC9) April 28, 2021

“Oh, I can’t quit smiling,” said Lynette Upton, Taylor’s aunt. “I’m so happy. It’s great. It’s great. It’s great. God is good.”

Family members told deputies they realized Taylor was missing when they woke up early Wednesday morning. A team of searchers, including members of the Forest Service and the Cherryville Police Department, found her in a heavily wooded area.

“There was no visible injuries to her, and when we actually picked her up and started carrying her, she smiled, which was really great,” said Brendan Parker with the Cherryville Police Department.

Authorities said Taylor is subject to having epileptic seizures and is nonverbal. Lanier said Taylor has the mind of an 8-year-old child.

Lincoln County sheriff’s deputies, drones and firefighters were called out to help with the search.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the search scene Wednesday around noon and could see dozens of people on the ground looking for the girl. Officials also searched nearby ponds using sonar.

Search for Taylor Falls Search teams gather to look for missing 13-year-old Taylor Falls in Lincoln County. (WSOC)

“That was on point, they really did their job,” said Max Herring, Taylor’s uncle.

“We just want to figure out why and what caused her to do this,” said Lanier. “I really did think the worst. It was scary not knowing where your daughter is at.”

If you have any information about this case, you are asked to call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 704-732-9050.