The morning of October 15, 2024, dawned with a mixture of relief and growing tension in the small, tight-knit community of Scranton, South Carolina. Florence County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) announced that one of the two missing Locklair brothers, 8-year-old Collin Ray Locklair, had been located and was reported to be safe. Yet, the search for his older brother, 11-year-old Thomas Colten Locklair, continues with increasing urgency.
The two brothers had been last seen at their family’s residence on Hemlock Road in Scranton the previous evening, at around 7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 14. The sudden and unexplained disappearance of both boys left the family, local residents, and law enforcement grappling with questions, fears, and a growing sense of helplessness. Collin’s safe recovery brings some hope, but as the hours pass without news of Thomas, the atmosphere is thick with worry.
Collin Locklair Located, Thomas Still Missing
The circumstances surrounding Collin’s discovery remain vague, though authorities have confirmed that he was found safe early on Tuesday, October 15. He was reunited with his family, who, while relieved to have him back, are now solely focused on the search for Thomas. Florence County Sheriff’s Office has been working tirelessly since the boys were reported missing, pouring resources into the investigation and search efforts to bring Thomas home safely.
As of now, officials have not disclosed where Collin was found or how he became separated from his brother. This crucial detail leaves a vacuum of speculation as investigators continue to piece together the timeline of events and any potential leads that could explain why the two boys vanished from their home under what seem to be puzzling circumstances.
Thomas Colten Locklair, 11, remains missing, and investigators have issued an updated description to aid in the public’s search efforts. He is described as standing approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing about 120 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. No specific clothing description was available at the time of the report, adding to the difficulties in tracking his whereabouts. Despite this, law enforcement has implored the public to remain vigilant, noting that every piece of information, no matter how small, could prove pivotal in bringing the case to a successful resolution.
The Night of the Disappearance
For the Locklair family, October 14 began like any other typical autumn day in the quiet rural town of Scranton. Hemlock Road, where the family lives, is surrounded by expansive fields and wooded areas, the kind of place where children are usually free to roam and explore, with little to fear from the outside world.
The boys had been seen by neighbors and family members earlier in the evening, engaging in what appeared to be typical activities. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary as the sun set and dusk settled in. Around 7:30 p.m., the family expected the boys to be nearby, possibly playing outdoors or getting ready for bed. However, when their mother called for them and they didn’t respond, concern began to rise.
Initially, the family believed the boys might have wandered off into the surrounding area, which is rich in dense foliage, wooded trails, and creeks. It wasn’t uncommon for local children to explore these natural spaces, but as minutes turned to hours with no sign of the boys, panic began to set in. They were not answering calls or texts, and neighbors had not seen them either. The boys had disappeared without a trace.
By 9:00 p.m., the family alerted local authorities, initiating a search that would soon engulf the small town in a wave of frantic activity. Florence County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at the scene shortly after receiving the call, and it wasn’t long before a formal missing persons report was filed for both Collin and Thomas.
Community and Law Enforcement Response
The Florence County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff TJ Joye, immediately mobilized a team of investigators and deputies to begin searching the areas surrounding the Locklair home. Within hours, an organized search involving ground units, drones, and K-9 teams was deployed, scouring the rural landscape. A “be on the lookout” (BOLO) advisory was issued to neighboring counties, while deputies went door-to-door asking if anyone had seen the boys.
“We are doing everything we can to bring Thomas home safely,” said Sheriff Joye during a press briefing early on Tuesday, October 15. “Our officers, along with local volunteers, have been working tirelessly, and we ask anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it might seem, to come forward.”
By dawn, dozens of volunteers from across Florence County, as well as neighboring communities, had joined the search. Local residents, some of whom know the Locklair family personally, expressed their deep concern. For them, this wasn’t just a news story but a tragedy unfolding in their own backyard.
“It’s terrifying to think something like this could happen here,” said one neighbor who has lived in the area for over two decades. “We’re all praying that Thomas is found soon and brought back to his family.”
The Locklair family, known for their deep ties within the community, have been met with an outpouring of support. Neighbors have been organizing vigils and prayer circles, gathering in local churches and homes to offer solace and strength during this trying time.
A Nationwide Appeal for Help
While Collin’s safe recovery brought a sense of relief to some, it did little to quell the overall concern surrounding Thomas’s disappearance. Law enforcement expanded their search efforts beyond the immediate vicinity, appealing to the broader public for any leads. The Sheriff’s Office encouraged the use of their free mobile app, “Submit-A-Tip,” available for both Apple and Android devices, as a means of leaving anonymous tips.
Anyone with knowledge of Thomas’s whereabouts is urged to contact investigators directly at (843) 665-2121, extension 80172. Additionally, tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of the Pee Dee by calling 1-888-CRIME-SC. A reward of up to $1,000 has been offered for information that leads to the safe return of Thomas or the arrest of any individuals involved in a crime connected to his disappearance.
It remains unclear whether foul play is suspected at this time. However, given the unusual nature of the disappearance, investigators have not ruled out any possibilities. Each tip received is being meticulously followed up on, with law enforcement carefully evaluating every piece of information for its potential significance.
Fear and Uncertainty as Time Passes
As the hours tick by without word from Thomas, his family is enduring what can only be described as unimaginable anguish. For his parents, the relief of knowing Collin is safe is coupled with the suffocating uncertainty of not knowing where their eldest son is or whether he is in danger.
Family friends, who have known the Locklairs for years, expressed their shock and disbelief that something like this could happen to the boys. “They’re good kids. It just doesn’t make any sense,” one family friend stated. “We’re all holding on to hope, but it’s hard. It’s hard when there’s just silence.”
Social media has played a major role in amplifying the search efforts. Hashtags like #FindThomas and #BringThomasHome are being shared widely across Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Many are resharing the Sheriff’s Office’s official bulletin, while others have taken to posting personal messages of encouragement for the Locklair family, offering their thoughts, prayers, and well wishes in what has now become a community-wide mission.
Parents in Scranton and surrounding areas are growing increasingly concerned for their own children’s safety, with many taking extra precautions to ensure their kids are accounted for at all times. Schools in the area have issued notices to parents, urging them to keep close watch on their children and report anything unusual to the authorities.
A Broader Pattern?
As of now, there is no indication that Thomas’s disappearance is connected to any broader pattern of abductions or child disappearances in the region. However, law enforcement remains cautious. Officials have not ruled out any scenarios, including the possibility of an abduction, though they continue to stress that there is no solid evidence pointing to such an event.
National missing children’s organizations, such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), have offered their support in the search for Thomas. Flyers bearing his description and photograph are being distributed both online and in person, with the hope that someone, somewhere, will recognize him and provide a lead.
Hope in the Midst of Despair
Though the hours since Thomas’s disappearance continue to stretch on, those involved in the search remain hopeful. Sheriff Joye expressed his gratitude to the community for their ongoing support, stating that “every effort is being made to ensure Thomas is found and brought home safely.” Law enforcement officers, search and rescue teams, and volunteers have vowed not to stop until Thomas is found.
In a community as close-knit as Scranton, there is a shared belief that no stone will be left unturned in the search for answers. From law enforcement agencies to volunteers, everyone is determined to ensure that the Locklair family’s nightmare ends with Thomas safely in his parents’ arms.
For now, though, the town waits—anxious, hopeful, and determined to see the day when the next update brings news that Thomas, like his brother Collin, has been found safe and sound.
