The Camp Girls Disappeared in 2014 – Two Years Later, An Anonymous Call Led the Police Here…

Sierra County, Calif. — Two years after four teenage girls went missing from a hiking trail near Camp Sierra Pines, a tip from an unknown caller led to the rescue of two of the missing girls, the arrest of a suspect, and the discovery of multiple sites that authorities believe were used to hold them hostage.

The Loss

On a summer afternoon in 2014, the women — all Sierra Pines campers — were last seen near Parson Jones redwood, a landmark trail stop minutes from their cabin. Subsequent searches involved local, state, and federal resources, but no clothing, footprints, or confirmed sightings were made.

At the end of the 2014 season, the camp closed permanently. Leads shrunk, and the case remained open but inactive.

Anonymous Call and Bunker Discovery

In 2016, an unidentified woman called county emergency dispatch, saying her husband was involved in the disappearances and maintained “a bunker close to where they disappeared.” The call was cut off before more details could be obtained, and the number could not be traced.

Investigators, led by Sgt. Tom Heler, revisited the search grid near the original disappearance site. Within hours, deputies found a hidden metal hatch flushing the forest floor. The underground structure contained four beds, clothing consistent with camp uniforms, and personal items later determined to belong to the missing women. A handwritten note read: “We can’t see the sky. Please tell my mother I’m sorry.”

New Evidence and Suspect Identification

Fresh footprints and wheel tracks near the site indicate recent use. Evidence from the bunker, including a handwritten log, points to continued captivity and possible transfer of the girls after earlier search efforts.

Witness analysis and tipster’s information prompted investigators to identify Mark Callaway, 47, a local heavy equipment operator and former seasonal worker in Sierra Pines, as the suspect. His wife, who was later identified as the unknown caller, confirmed that he moved the girls to an alternate location — an old hunting cabin near Miller’s Creek.

Rescue Operation

Coordinated teams from the county sheriff’s office and state police responded to the Miller’s Creek area. The approach revealed booby traps and defensive measures around the cabin. Inside, officers found fresh blankets and clothing. Tracks leading from the back of the cabin sparked a pursuit.

Callaway was caught in the woods trying to escape with a young woman later confirmed as Khloe Moore, one of the original missing campers. She was taken to the hospital for evaluation. The second girl, identified as Clare, had recovered a few days earlier from a separate encounter with Callaway.

Two of the original four remain missing.

Charges and Ongoing Investigations

Callaway was charged with multiple counts of kidnapping, unlawful confinement, and aggravated assault. He is being held without bail. Investigators are working to determine the whereabouts of the remaining victims and to identify possible accomplices.

Authorities did not disclose all of the evidence recovered but confirmed that both survivors provided information critical to the search for the others.

Community and Family Response

The families of the missing expressed a mixture of relief and sadness. “Being safe is just the first step,” said Lena Moore, Khloe’s sister. “We’re not done until they get home.”

The sheriff’s office asked anyone with information about Callaway’s activities or other potential holding sites to contact their tip line.