Arizona Teen With Autism, Missing Since 2019, Found Safe in Montana

An Arizona girl, who left her Glendale home in 2019 when she was 14 years old, has been found safe in Montana.

Alicia Navarro reportedly walked out of her home on September 15, 2019, while her parents were sleeping, leaving a note behind. She was described at the time as a high-functioning autistic teen, as CrimeOnline reported.

Navarro, now 18, was located in a very small Montana town near the Canadian border, said Jose Miguel Santiago, a spokesperson for Glenda Public Safety, KTVK reported.

“She is by all accounts safe, she is by all accounts healthy and she is by all accounts happy,” Santiago said.

According to KNXV, Navarro appeared at police station, identified herself, and asked for help getting off a missing persons’ list.

Glendale police immediately responded, KTVK said, and are investigating with the help of the FBI and the US Marshal’s Office.

I would ask patience, not only for us as law enforcement in this investigation, but patience for Alicia and for her family,” said Glendale Police Lt. Scott Waite. “We can only imagine what she’s going through, mentally, emotionally, as well as her family, and as much as we’d like to say this is the end, this is probably only the beginning of where this investigation will go.”

Police have not revealed where in Montana she was or said who she has been staying with, KNXV said. Officials said she is not in custody and has asked for privacy.

Her mother, Jessica Nunez, said at the time that the note she left said she would be back.

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[Featured image: Alicia Navarro in 2019/Glendale Police Department]

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