Nationwide Information
Alicia Navarro disappeared days earlier than her fifteenth birthday, launching an enormous search that included the FBI.
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — An Arizona teenager who disappeared days earlier than her fifteenth birthday practically 4 years in the past is secure after strolling right into a small-town police station in Montana this week, authorities introduced Wednesday.
Alicia Navarro, now 18, confirmed up alone Sunday morning in Havre, Montana, a metropolis of 9,200 folks about 40 miles (64 kilometers) from the Canadian border and recognized herself to authorities there because the lacking teenager from Glendale, a suburb of Phoenix, in keeping with authorities.
“Alicia gave the impression to be high-quality and in good well being,” the Havre Police Division stated in a press release.
Her disappearance in 2019 sparked an enormous search that included the FBI. Glendale police spokesperson Jose Santiago stated through the years, police had acquired 1000’s of ideas.
Her mom, Jessica Nunez, raised issues that Navarro, who was identified as high-functioning on the autism spectrum, could have been lured away by somebody she met on-line.
The identify of the city wasn’t instantly disclosed, however Montana is greater than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) from Arizona.
“She is by all accounts secure, she is by all accounts wholesome, and she or he is by all accounts blissful,” Santiago stated at a information convention.
Investigators had been attempting to find out what occurred to Navarro after her disappearance at age 14 on Sept. 15, 2019.
Police Lt. Scott Waite stated they had been investigating all of the doable eventualities that would have led to Navarro’s disappearance, together with kidnapping.
“As a lot as we’d wish to say that is the top,” Waite stated, “we all know that is solely the start of the place this investigation will go.”
Police stated Navarro instructed them she hadn’t been harmed, wasn’t being held and will come and go as she happy. She doesn’t face any legal expenses, they added.
In a brief video clip that police stated was taken shortly after Navarro arrived on the Montana police station this week, she will be heard telling authorities, “Nobody damage me.” In one other brief video, Navarro thanked the police.
“Thanks for providing assist to me,” she stated.
When she disappeared from her dwelling, Navarro left a signed notice that learn: “I ran away. I can be again, I swear. I’m sorry.”
Waite described Navarro’s reunion this week together with her mom as “emotionally overwhelming” and that Navarro stated she was sorry for “what she has put her mom via.”
Nunez confirmed that her daughter had been discovered however stated she had no particulars.
“I wish to give glory to God for answering prayers and for this miracle,” she stated in a Fb put up.
“For everybody who has lacking family members, I would like you to make use of this case for example,” she stated. “Miracles do exist. By no means lose hope and all the time battle.”
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