Parents reunited with missing girl

A 12-year-old West Ashley girl was returned safely to her parents Monday after being missing for almost four hours, authorities said.

The search for McKayla Rose Killen began shortly after noon when her mother, Monica, called 911 to report that her daughter was missing from their South Dallerton Circle home, said Lt. Mark Fields, acting public information officer for the Charleston County Sheriff's Office.

"She told us her daughter was doing chores one moment, and the next moment she was gone," Fields said. "She said her daughter had never been missing before."

McKayla was described by her mother as a special-needs child who is home-schooled, Fields said.

Deputies set up a command center in a church parking lot across from Oakland Elementary School. The area around Oakland subdivision was searched by deputies on foot and in patrol cars, in all-terrain vehicles and in a helicopter. Charleston County Rescue Squad volunteers assisted in the search, Fields said.

As the search went on, neighbors and relatives gathered at the Killen residence.

Well-wishers huddled in small groups on the lawn, some praying. Some were crying. Chaplain Bob O'Connell of the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy was on hand to assist the family.

Scott Killen, McKayla's father, was standing in his yard about 3:45 p.m. when his phone rang.

"McKayla!" he said. "Where are you?"

Everyone stopped. Someone ran inside to tell McKayla's mother, "She's OK. She's on the phone."

The mood quickly turned to one of thankfulness and joy, especially when deputies brought McKayla home. Her parents ran to the squad car to greet her and hold her tight.

McKayla told investigators she rode her small foot scooter from her home to James Island County Park, Fields said. She used a foot path behind her house that leads to the park, riding about five miles.

The West Ashley Greenway runs behind the South Dallerton Circle home to Folly Road.

When McKayla arrived at the park gate, she lacked the $1 entry fee, but the gatekeeper allowed her into the park and directed her to the park office, where she phoned her father, Fields said.

Reach David W. MacDougall at macdougd@postandcourier.com or 937-5655.