Mystery as teen walks into Montana police station four years after disappearing in Arizona

A missing persons case took a mysterious turn this week when a teenage girl walked into a Montana police station four years after disappearing without a trace from Arizona.

Alicia Navarro was 14 years old when she was last seen leaving her home in Glendale, Arizona on September 15, 2019. She left her parents a note saying she would return, but she never did. do.

The disappearance of the autistic teen sparked a massive search involving the FBI and the Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

But despite thousands of tips received over the past four years, there was no sign of the girl missing – until now.

Glendale police said Wednesday that the 18-year-old woman went to a police station thousands of miles away in a small town near the Canadian border and told officers she was the missing girl.

At a news conference, police spokesman Jose Santiago said Alicia was “in all respects” well and had since been reunited with her mother.

“She presented herself at a police station. She identified herself as Alicia Navarro. She basically asked for help to get her off a list of missing minors,” he said.

“She’s obviously safe, she’s obviously healthy and she’s obviously happy,” he said.

Police Lt. Scott Waite told reporters that the investigation so far indicates Alicia ran away from home on her own accord.

“All indication she has given us so far is that she voluntarily left her home,” he said.

“Now the dynamics surrounding that decision are obviously something that we are studying.”

Lt. Waite added that the investigation is still ongoing but that the teen is not facing any charges in connection with her disappearance and is “in no way in trouble.”

Questions remain about Alicia's whereabouts over the past four years and how she got from Arizona to Montana.

Police said Alicia's reunion with her mother Jessica Nunez was “emotionally upsetting” for both of them and that the teen was “very sorry for what she put her mother through.”

“She wanted to talk to her mother and she wanted to make sure she knew she was OK,” Mr. Santiago said.

Today, the teen and her mother hope to rebuild their relationship, he said.

“We will continue to work with our state, local federal and even across state lines partners to ensure Alicia has everything she needs,” Lt. Waite said.

“That she is taken care of, that her family gets the help they need and, most importantly, that this investigation is completed and properly.”

Following the news of her daughter's return, Ms. Nunez released a video statement saying their case shows that parents of missing children should never abandon their homes to find them.

“I feel like I owe this video to the community and to God,” she said in the video shared on Twitter by 12 News journalist Bianca Buono.

“Above all, I want to give glory to God for answering their prayers and for this miracle.

“For anyone who has missing loved ones, I want you to use this case as an example. Miracles exist, never lose hope and always fight.

“My daughter, Alicia Navarro, had been missing since September 15, 2019, she was found safe and sound.

“I don’t know the details. I confirm that she is my daughter. She is alive and she is safe.

She added: “This is recent news to me, it was an hour before it hit social media and the news. I don't have any details but the important thing is that she is alive.

“I want to thank the community and God for everything you have done.”