Featured Image Credit: Navarro Family/Glendale Police
Topics: Crime, US News, Social Media, Police
Ben Thompson
Topics: Crime, US News, Social Media, Police
The girl who reappeared at a police station after being missing for four years has spoken out to tell her story.
Alicia Navarro disappeared from her home in Glendale, Arizona, when she was 14-years-old.
Now 18, she walked into a Montana police station and made herself known for the first time since her disappearance in September 2019.
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At the time, all she left was a note to her parents that read 'I ran away. I will be back, I swear. I’m sorry. -Alice.'
In newly released footage, Navarro can be seen being questioned by a police officer.
When he asked: "Did anybody hurt you in any way?", she replied: "No, nobody hurt me."
The cop replied: "So you know, our goal is we just want to make sure that you're safe."
"I don't, I don't. I understand..." Navarro responded, before trailing off.
Navarro was diagnosed with high-functioning autism which requires medication on a regular basis.
Her mother, Jessica Nunez, has expressed gratitude on social media, despite admitting that she did not have any information about the circumstances of her disappearance.
Writing on Facebook, she said: "I want to give glory to God for answering prayers and for this miracle,
"For everyone who has missing loved ones, I want you to use this case as an example. Miracles do exist. Never lose hope and always fight."
Whilst authorities are relieved by her return, there are still questions over her disappearance in 2019.
Prior to her disappearance, the teen had expressed concerns about starting high school and even asked her mom if she could stay home.
Trying to lift her spirits, the pair would visit a chocolate factory but hours later, Navarro would vanish – leaving just a scrawled, handwritten note behind.
At the time, her mom was convinced that the sudden disappearance of her daughter was connected to people she’d met online.
She told the Arizona Republic: "I’m more than 90% sure that my daughter met this person online… Knowing the way my daughter's personality is, I don't think that she would have fallen for that. This person probably took a while to be able to gain (her) trust."
Although the pair have since reunited and the teen has apologised for her disappearance, police are still investigating what happened.
At a press conference, Police Lt Waite said: “We are only [beginning] to put together the puzzle that is her disappearance and her returning. I would only ask for patience.”