In 2019, then 14-year-old Alicia Navarro packed up and left her home in Glendale, Arizona, in the middle of the night. Her loved ones have been searching for her ever since. This week, she turned up at a police station in a rural Montana town asking to be taken off the missing persons list. She wanted her mother, Jessica Nuñez, to know she was OK.
Video footage shows investigators from Arizona speaking to the now 18-year-old. The investigation is still ongoing, but she appears happy and healthy. She is free to come and go as she pleases at this time, and is cooperating with authorities. She is asking the public for privacy.
Investigators wanted to make sure Alicia was safe. In the video they ask her: “Did anybody hurt you in any way?” Alicia responds: “No, nobody hurt me.” The officer makes sure Alicia knows she can open up to them and they are on her side wanting nothing but her safety. “I understand that,” she responds after struggling to find the words.
The video concludes with the officer thanking Alicia for her time. She is also grateful for their work. “Thank you for offering help to me,” she responds.
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Jose Santiago, Glendale public safety communications manager, held a press conference on Wednesday to address this. “She is by all accounts safe. She is by all accounts healthy and she is by all accounts happy,” he reassured the public.
After Glendale police confirmed Alicia’s identity, they then alerted her parents. On the night Alicia went missing, she left a note behind, which was the last time her parents heard from her.
"I ran away. I will be back. I swear. I’m sorry," the note read.
Alicia and Jessica were reunited. Lt. Scott Waite witnessed the reunion calling it an “extremely overwhelming” experience. Jessica never gave up hope of finding her daughter. She posted an emotional video on Facebook thanking God and her community for this “miracle.”
Jessica also had a special message for those who continue to search for their loved ones. “For everyone who has missing loved ones, I want you to use this case as an example,” she advised. “Miracles do exist. Never lose hope and always fight.”
It was important for Alicia to let her mom know she was safe. She regrets any harm or worry she caused her family. It is unknown at this time how Alicia got to Montana and where she has been living for the last four years, but it is under investigation.
Alicia is not facing any legal trouble due to her disappearance. She is fully cooperating with the investigation. “She is not in any kind of trouble. She is not facing any kind of charges,” Jose confirmed.
