Utah teen found after 500 days
Authorities located a 17-year-old girl in Oregon and took a 39-year-old man into custody.
By Tessa Cooper ·
A 17-year-old girl reported missing from Garden City, Utah, in May 2025, was located in Oregon on Sunday afternoon. Her recovery ends a search that spanned more than 500 days and led investigators across two states.
Local police in Oregon brought the minor to safety after acting on information provided by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. The girl was found with a 39-year-old male who was taken into custody without incident. The Rich County Sheriff's Office in Utah has been jointly investigating the case alongside the federal agency.
FBI Director Kash Patel issued a statement announcing the recovery. "Tonight, local police in Oregon brought a minor who had been missing for a year and a half to safety, acting on information provided by our FBI Salt Lake City Field Office," Patel said. He added that the bureau is grateful she can return home and will continue working with partners to hold those responsible accountable.
The statement included a specific warning to groups targeting children. "To anyone using gore groups to target and exploit children: the FBI and our partners are coming for you," Patel wrote. The announcement did not elaborate further on the warning. The director noted the bureau is using every tool at its disposal to combat nihilistic violent extremism, bring offenders to justice, and protect America's children.
The Rich County Sheriff's Office reposted the FBI update on social media. ABC News reached out to the FBI Salt Lake City office for further details on the circumstances surrounding the discovery and the custody of the man found with the girl.
