Utah teen Kylie Arellano found safe in Oregon, ending a search of more than 500 days

Kylie Arellano, a Utah teenager who vanished nearly a year and a half ago, has been found safe in Oregon, ending a nationwide search that spanned more than 500 days.

Arellano, now 17, was last seen by her family on May 29, 2025, at their home in Garden City, Utah, when she was 15 years old.

Her disappearance triggered a wide federal and state investigation that led officials through dozens of unconfirmed sightings before culminating in her recovery on Sunday.

Law enforcement officers in Oregon, working directly with the FBI's Salt Lake City field office and the Rich County Sheriff's Office, safely recovered the teen, according to a law enforcement news release.

Kylie was found with a 39-year-old man in Oregon. The man 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 said in a statement on Sunday, adding that as the case is ongoing, no further information will be released at this time.

Federal authorities also credited the Oregon State Police, the FBI's Portland field office and the Utah Department of Public Safety for their assistance in the operation.

FBI Director Kash Patel said local police in Oregon had brought a minor who had been missing for a year and a half to safety, acting on information provided by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. He said they are grateful she can return home, and that work with partners to hold those responsible accountable will continue.

Patel warned those who use online groups to target and exploit children that the FBI and its partners are coming for them, and that every tool at their disposal is being used to protect America's children.

According to a law enforcement source, the suspect allegedly met the teenager on Snapchat before her disappearance.

Last year, Rich County Sheriff Dale Stacey said detectives had chased reports of sightings across multiple states and urged the public to preserve any photographic or timestamped evidence.

Weeks before her rescue, Kylie Arellano's mother marked the 500-day milestone since her disappearance online.

New details about the investigation had also emerged days before Kylie was found. Unsealed search warrants reviewed by KUTV on October 29 showed that investigators had previously scrutinised Kylie's mother, Stephanie Coleman, and questioned her about a 2024 allegation of physical abuse. There were also questions about discrepancies involving missing text messages from the night Kylie vanished and suspicious marks in the home.

Coleman denied having any role in her daughter's disappearance or abusing her, providing timestamped 'good night' text messages from May 29, 2025. She said the marks were caused by an injured cat and maintained that Kylie had likely been groomed and lured away by someone she encountered online.