A Utah teenager who was missing for over 500 days has been found safe in Oregon, concluding a lengthy nationwide search. Kylie Arellano, now 17, was last seen by her family on May 29, 2025, at her home in Garden City, Utah, when she was 15.
The disappearance prompted a federal and state investigation that followed numerous unconfirmed sightings before culminating in her recovery on Sunday. Law enforcement officers in Oregon, in coordination with the FBI’s Salt Lake City field office and the Rich County Sheriff’s Office, safely located the teen. Arellano was found with a 39-year-old man, who was taken into custody without incident.
"The FBI and the Rich County Sheriff’s Office have been actively investigating this case for more than a year and pursuing every lead received from across the US and in other countries," the FBI's Salt Lake City field office stated Sunday. "As this case is ongoing, no further information will be released at this time."
Federal authorities also acknowledged the assistance of the Oregon State Police, the FBI’s Portland field office, and the Utah Department of Public Safety in the operation. FBI Director Kash Patel expressed gratitude for the teen's safe return, stating, "We are grateful she can return home, and we will continue working with our partners to hold those responsible accountable."
Patel also issued a warning to those who exploit children online: "To anyone using gore groups to target and exploit children: the FBI and our partners are coming for you. We are using every tool at our disposal to combat nihilistic violent extremism, bring offenders to justice and protect America’s children."
According to a law enforcement source, the suspect allegedly met Arellano on Snapchat prior to her disappearance. In the past, Rich County Sheriff Dale Stacey had noted that detectives had pursued reports of sightings across multiple states.
Unsealed search warrants reviewed by KUTV in late October raised questions about Arellano's mother, Stephanie Coleman, concerning a 2024 allegation of physical abuse. The warrants also detailed discrepancies regarding missing text messages from the night Arellano vanished and described suspicious marks found in the home. Coleman had denied any involvement in her daughter's disappearance or accusations of abuse, asserting that Kylie had likely been groomed and lured away by someone met online. She provided timestamped text messages indicating a "good night" exchange on May 29, 2025, and attributed the marks in the home to an injured cat.