FBI locates Utah teen missing for 500 days in Oregon
Kylie Arellano, 16, was found alive with a 39-year-old man in Oregon after a year-long search across the United States.
By Bianca Herrera ·
Kylie Arellano was found alive in Oregon on Sunday after a 500-day search.
The teenager, who is now 16, disappeared in May 2025 after leaving her home in Garden City, Utah. Her mother, Stephanie Coleman, had been coordinating the family's search efforts through a Facebook group since the girl vanished. Coleman confirmed the discovery on social media, noting that Kylie was located the day before her birthday. She thanked the community for its support and expressed hope to continue helping others.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rich County Sheriff's Office led the investigation for more than a year. Agents pursued dozens of unconfirmed sightings from across the United States and other countries. The case involved a nationwide manhunt before local police in Oregon secured the location of the missing teen.
According to the FBI, Arellano was found with a 39-year-old man. Law enforcement took the man into custody without incident. A law enforcement source told Fox News that the suspect had met the teenager on the messaging app Snapchat before she disappeared. The FBI did not provide further details about the man or the circumstances of the capture.
FBI Director Kash Patel issued a statement confirming that local police in Oregon brought the minor to safety. He credited the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office for providing the information that led to her location. Patel stated that the agency would continue working with partners to hold those responsible accountable.
Arellano's grandmother shared the news on the social media platform X. She expressed gratitude to the authorities and their teams for finding the family's daughter. The grandmother's post highlighted the relief felt by the extended family after the long search.
The FBI Salt Lake City field office said the case remains ongoing. The agency stated that it would not release further information at this time. The investigation has continued since May 2025, involving a sustained effort by federal and local law enforcement agencies.
