Kylie Arellano, Missing Utah Teen, Found Safe in Oregon
Kylie Arellano, who disappeared from her Garden City, Utah home in May 2025 at age 15, was recovered in Oregon with a 39-year-old man now in custody, the FBI says.
Kylie Arellano, a Utah teenager who disappeared from her family’s home in May 2025 when she was 15, has been found safe in Oregon, according to the FBI’s Salt Lake City field office. A 39-year-old man found with her was taken into custody without incident, and the FBI says the case remains under investigation.
What happened
Kylie was last seen by her family on May 29, 2025, at their home in Garden City, Utah. She is now 17. Her disappearance set off a joint federal and state investigation that ran more than 500 days and produced dozens of unconfirmed sightings across multiple states.
She was recovered on Sunday by Oregon law enforcement officers working with the FBI’s Salt Lake City field office and the Rich County Sheriff’s Office, according to a law enforcement news release. The FBI also credited Oregon State Police, its Portland field office and the Utah Department of Public Safety.
FBI Director Kash Patel said local police in Oregon acted on information from the Salt Lake City field office. “We are grateful she can return home, and we will continue working with our partners to hold those responsible accountable,” Patel told Fox News Digital. He also issued a warning to “anyone using gore groups to target and exploit children.”
According to a law enforcement source, the suspect allegedly met the teenager on Snapchat before she vanished. Rich County Sheriff Dale Stacey said last year that detectives had chased sightings across multiple states and asked the public to preserve any photos or timestamped evidence.
Days before she was found, unsealed search warrants reviewed by KUTV on Oct. 29 showed investigators had scrutinized Kylie’s mother, Stephanie Coleman, over a 2024 physical abuse allegation and over missing text messages from the night Kylie disappeared. Coleman denied any role in the disappearance or abuse, provided timestamped “good night” messages from May 29, 2025, and said marks in the home came from an injured cat. She maintained Kylie was likely groomed and lured away by someone she met online.
Why it matters
The recovery closes a search that drew federal resources and generated leads from across the U.S. and other countries, the FBI said. The arrest of an adult man found with a minor suggests authorities are treating the case as a potential exploitation matter, though no charges have been announced. The FBI’s statement that the case is ongoing means the public account is likely incomplete.
Key facts at a glance
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Teen | Kylie Arellano, now 17 |
| Last seen | May 29, 2025, Garden City, Utah, at age 15 |
| Found | Sunday, in Oregon, safe |
| Duration | More than 500 days |
| Person in custody | 39-year-old man, taken in without incident |
| Agencies | FBI Salt Lake City and Portland field offices, Rich County Sheriff, Oregon State Police, Utah DPS |
| Alleged contact | Snapchat, per a law enforcement source |
What this means for you
- If you shared tips or sightings during the search, the outcome shows such reports can matter, though the FBI has not said which lead proved decisive.
- Parents should treat unsolicited adult contact on messaging apps as a warning sign; the Snapchat link here is alleged and unconfirmed in court.
- Preserving timestamps and photos, as the sheriff urged, remains useful in missing-person cases.
- No charges or court records have been disclosed, so avoid treating the man in custody as convicted.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Kylie Arellano found?
In Oregon, according to the FBI. The release did not specify a city.
Who is the 39-year-old man in custody?
Authorities have not named him or announced charges. A law enforcement source said he allegedly met Kylie on Snapchat.
How long was she missing?
More than 500 days, from May 29, 2025, to her recovery on Sunday.
Was her mother involved?
No. Coleman denied any role, and no allegation against her has been substantiated in the information released.
What to watch next
Whether prosecutors file charges against the man in custody, and what the FBI’s ongoing investigation establishes about how Kylie was lured away. The FBI has said it will release no further information while the case is active.
- Kylie Arellano, 17, was found safe in Oregon after more than 500 days missing.
- A 39-year-old man found with her was taken into custody without incident.
- The FBI says the investigation is ongoing and no further details will be released.