RICH COUNTY, Utah — A 17-year-old girl missing from Garden City for nearly a year and a half has been safely recovered in Oregon, authorities announced Sunday.
Kylie Arellano was located Sunday afternoon alongside a 39-year-old male who was taken into law enforcement custody without incident. The recovery ends a multi-agency search that began when Kylie originally disappeared from her home at age 15 on May 29, 2025.
The joint operation was carried out by Oregon law enforcement officers working in direct coordination with the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and the Rich County Sheriff’s Office. FBI Portland, the Oregon State Police, and the Utah Department of Public Safety also provided critical assistance in locating the teen.
“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,” said FBI Director Kash Patel in an official statement. “We are grateful she can return home, and we will continue working with our partners to hold those responsible accountable”.
The Rich County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement, “We acknowledge the efforts of all agencies involved in this investigation and appreciate their continued cooperation.”
Patel emphasized law enforcement’s commitment to tackling child exploitation linked to violent online networks. “To anyone using gore groups to target and exploit children: the FBI and our partners are coming for you,” Patel said. “We are using every tool at our disposal to combat nihilistic violent extremism, bring offenders to justice and protect America’s children”.
The Rich County Sheriff’s Office and federal investigators had actively pursued leads across the United States and internationally since Kylie’s disappearance. Authorities noted that because the investigation remains active and ongoing, no additional details—including the identity of the suspect or specific charges—will be released at this time.