Message from missing teen who walked into police station 4 years after vanishing
A teenager who walked into a police station after being missing for your years has issued a message to the public.
Alicia Novarro, then 14, disappeared from her home in Arizona - sparking a nationwide missing person's hunt - before handing herself in to police hundreds of miles away in Montana.
The teen, now 18, is said to be "happy and healthy" but cops have no idea where she has been for the past four years. A police spokesman warned: "This case is far from over."
Alicia's mum described the news of her return as a "miracle" in an emotional Facebook post. Jessica Nunez spent four years fearing her daughter had been abducted by an online predator.
Joe Santiago, spokesman for Glendale police department in Arizona, where Alicia vanished from, read out a message from the teenager.
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He told a press conference: "We have a message from Alicia herself who is asking for privacy. This has been a traumatic situation for her, as you can imagine, but she is looking to be able to move on with her life. She is looking to build a life for herself and she is asking for privacy and some patience as well."
Lieutenant Scott Waite says criminal charges may follow the investigation into the missing girlLieutenant Scott Waite, who is leading the investigation, added: "We are only (beginning) to put together the puzzle that is her disappearance and her returning. I would only ask for patience.
"We can only imagine what she's going through as well as her family. This is probably only the beginning of where this investigation will go."
Asked if anyone would face criminal charges over Alicia's disappearance, Lieutenant Waite said: "There's always the possibility somebody could face charges. As this investigation unfolds and we get more clarification on what happened to her, that's certainly a possibility. But I can't say there's anything imminent or pending.
A photo of Alicia issued by police after she arrived at the station in Montana
Detectives are now trying to piece together her movements over the last four years (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)"In any investigation like this there's a criminal element - if there's any criminal intent behind it, certainly not from her, but if others are involved. To us she is a victim."
Alicia vanished from her home in September 2019. She left behind a note saying she would return, but she was never heard from again until now.
Lieutenant Waite said: "The indication that she has given us so far is that she wilfully left her home - her own free will and choice. The dynamics around that decision are obviously something we're looking into."
In a video interview, a detective can be heard asking "did anybody hurt you while you were away?" before Alicia replies "no, no-one hurt me". The officer then says "our goal is we just want to make sure you are safe". The teen replies: "I understand that."
Alicia's mum Jessica posted an emotional video on her Finding Alicia Facebook page shortly after police confirmed her discovery.
The visibly overwhelmed parent told supporters: "I want to give glory to god for answering our prayers and for this miracle. My daughter, Alicia Navarro, who was missing since September 15, 2019 has been found safe.
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"She is alive and she is safe. I don't have details but the important thing is she is alive. I want to thank the community and god."
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