Alicia Navarro, a teenager from Arizona who vanished almost four years ago, has been found safe at a Montana police station, authorities announced on Wednesday.
Now 18 years old, Navarro turned up at a small police station located 40 miles south of the Canadian border in Montana. Jose Miguel Santiago from the Glendale Police Department confirmed her well-being, stating, “Alicia Navarro has been located. She is safe, healthy, and happy.”
At the time of her disappearance, Alicia was identified as autistic. She had left her home in Glendale, Arizona, in the early hours of September 15, 2019, leaving behind a note to her parents that she would be leaving but would eventually return. This sparked an extensive search effort involving local police, the FBI, and the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, with thousands of tips pouring in, but none leading to her whereabouts.
Alicia’s reappearance came as a surprise as the first contact from her in all these years occurred when she approached the Montana police station, identifying herself as Alicia Navarro. During a press conference, Glendale police spokesman Jose Santiago revealed that she sought assistance in removing herself from the missing juvenile list and emphasized that she was not in trouble nor facing any charges.
Authorities continue to investigate Alicia’s whereabouts over the past four years, collaborating with federal partners to uncover the circumstances surrounding her long absence.
In a heartwarming moment, Alicia expressed remorse for the stress her disappearance caused her mother, and she hoped to rebuild their relationship after the challenging four years they endured.
Her mother expressed her gratitude in a Facebook video, giving glory to God for answering prayers and calling her daughter’s return a miracle. She urged those with missing loved ones never to lose hope, using Alicia’s case as an example that miracles can happen, and they should always continue to fight for their loved ones’ safe return.
