Amber Alert issued for child near Black Mountain

Missing Child located safely, McDowell COunty Sheriff’s office announces

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
May 13, 2025

An Amber Alert was issued at approximately 5:30 p.m., May 13, for 11-year-old Arianna Deslatte, who was last seen, May 12, in a section of High Rock Acres in Old Fort, near the Buncombe County border. Photo courtesy of McDowell County Sheriff’s Office

UPDATE: The missing child was safely located, the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office announced, May 14.

McDowell County authorities have issued an Amber Alert for a missing child, last seen around 8 p.m., May 12, in a section of High Rock Acres in Old Fort. 

Arianna Deslatte, age 11, is possibly traveling on foot in the area of Black Mountain, according to a notification from the emergency alert system. Her last known location was on Dalton Lane, in the vicinity of N.C. 9.

Described as 5 feet tall, weighing 122 pounds with brown hair, teal highlights and blue eyes, an initial press release from the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office stated the child was last seen wearing grey leggings and a silver ring on her index finger. The Amber Alert notification issued at approximately 5:30 p.m., May 13, announced she could possibly be dressed in all black. 

Anyone who sees the missing child is urged to call 911.