Twiggs County parents relieved as daughter found alive in California mountains

Georgia woman found alive after 2 weeks missing in California mountains

FRESNO, California (CNN/KSFN/AP) — After more than two weeks of anxious waiting, the Slaton family in Twiggs County, Georgia was overjoyed to hear that their daughter, Tiffany Slaton, had been found alive in the Sierra Mountains near Lake Edison on Wednesday. The 27-year-old hiker had been missing since April 24th, leaving her parents devastated by the uncertainty.

“We talk to Tiffany all the time, and to know that I couldn’t talk to her for Mother’s Day, it was really hard,” said Fredrina Slaton, recalling the emotional toll of the search.

Tiffany had been on a solo camping trip when she went missing. Local authorities, scoured nearly 600 square miles of terrain in the Sierra wilderness to find her. For weeks, Fredrina and Bobby Slaton held onto hope, struggling through the unknown while keeping their faith that their daughter would return safely.

A mother’s joy and a father’s relief

Across the country in Jeffersonville, Georgia, her parents were out shopping when they got word that their daughter had been found.

“I just grabbed somebody and I said, ‘Can I hug you?’ And I did,” said her mother, Fredrina Slaton. “I was crying and hugging.”

Tiffany’s father, Bobby Slaton, said “a ton of weight has been lifted.” He thanked the search-and-rescue team and all the community members who helped in the effort to find her.

Sheriff’s officials said snowplows cleared a key mountain pass earlier Wednesday, which allowed Gutierrez to access the resort on Lake Edison for the first time this year. Gutierrez said he had to spend about an hour and a half breaking up ice before he could get into the property.

Slaton’s parents said Tiffany was raised with a love of the outdoors, and they always stressed the importance of being able to fend for yourself in a tough situation.

“So it’s nice to know, as parents, that all the things that we’ve taught her, she actually did,” her mother said. “We believe that life is an adventure.”

Fredrina expressed her overwhelming emotions when the news finally came in. “I can’t wait to see and hug her,” she said.

The family’s prayers were answered when Christopher Gutierrez, owner of the Vermilion Valley Resort, discovered Tiffany on his property. She had survived a blizzard by sheltering in one of the resort’s unlocked cabins, relying on leeks for sustenance.

“She just ran up and all she wanted was a hug,” Gutierrez recalled, describing the moment he found Tiffany. After calling the authorities, Tiffany was safely to  receive medical care.

A father’s voice on the reunion

When Tiffany was able to call her father, Bobby Slaton was relieved. “She said, ‘Dad, I’m alive, and I’m sorry, but I’m alive, and I wanted to call you and let you know that I’m alive,'” he said, recounting their emotional conversation.

The Slaton family plans to reunite in person to celebrate Tiffany’s birthday. “This is one of the best birthday presents Tiffany could receive,” Bobby said, grateful to have his daughter back.

As Tiffany recovers in the hospital, being treated for dehydration, her parents continue to express their deep gratitude for everyone involved in her rescue, thanking the first responders, the local media, and especially Christopher Gutierrez.