Alicia Navarro went missing in September 2019, and a miracle took place a few days ago. The Arizona girl, who vanished days before her 15th birthday, has returned home safe and sound.
Her mother, Jessica Nuñez is calling what happened an incredible miracle and is telling those who have loved ones who disappeared not to lose hope.
On July 26, officials with the Glendale Police Department in Arizona announced that Alicia Navarro was found in the small town of Havre, Montana which is located near the U.S.-Canadian border.
The 18-year-old walked into a police station and asked to be removed from the missing children list. Alicia Navarro was not accompanied by anyone.
She told the authorities that she was not harmed, was not being held captive, and was free to come and go as she pleased. It is not known if the teen explained where she was or why she had been missing for four years.
Trent Steele, president of a group named the Anti-Predator Project, explained that Alicia Navarro went to the authorities because she wanted to get her ID and other documents.
Glendale public safety communications manager Jose Santiago said during a press conference that Alicia Navarro was apologetic and wanted her mother to know that she was alive.
Santiago added: “Alicia Navarro has been located. She is by all accounts safe, she is by all accounts healthy, and she is by all accounts happy.”
Alicia Navarro, who was described as autistic but high-functioning, vanished from the family home while her parents were sleeping and left the following message behind: “I ran away. I will be back. I swear. I’m sorry.”
Trent Steele, who has been working with the teen’s parents for the past four years to find her, said there is a possibility that she was lured out of the home with video games.
Steele went on to say: “There was a certain point where she maybe didn’t expect this to have this type of outcome, so she’s pretty overwhelmed. She’s trying to deal with the situation, and you know, obviously, she still has other kids at home. She still has a life to live. So she’s trying to get this all in perspective, and pull everything together.”
After Alicia Navarro turned up, a man was arrested in connection with the case. Multiple police officers rushed into an apartment near the Havre police station, where a man was apprehended.
Glendale police Lieutenant Scott Waite said he will follow all the leads in the case, including kidnapping. Lieutenant Waite said: “As much as we’d like to say this is the end, we know this is only the beginning of where this investigation will go.”
The family issued a statement that read: “We want to start by saying how happy we are that Alicia has been found alive and safe. It is a blessing that after being missing for so long Alicia can come back home. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families of missing loved ones that have not yet returned home. If there is anything that Alicia’s story has taught us is that you can never give up hope.”
It went on to say: “We would also like to thank the Glendale Police Department and specifically Detective Travis Darby for his hard work and dedication to bringing Alicia home. Thank you to the entire Anti-Predator Project team not only for their hard work and dedication to bringing Alicia home but also for their commitment to supporting our family through these hard times. The local and national media has been so important the last several years in keeping Alicia’s story alive and our family cannot say thank you enough for that. Finally, we would like to say thank you for all the love and support we have received from everyone around the country. It has helped our family through some very dark times, and we cannot say thank you enough. At this time, we are asking for some privacy so our family can begin the healing process and reclaim some normalcy. You have all been a blessing in our life and we wish you all the very best.”
It may take time to answer some of the questions related to the case.
