Missing Utah teen found ALIVE after being held captive in Oregon basement for over 500 days
A Utah teen disappeared in May 2025 and was found alive in Oregon after more than 500 days of captivity, following a tip from the parent of an online game contact she had made through Among Us. Investigators say she was groomed online, kept in a basement, repeatedly assaulted, and transported across state lines by a 39-year-old man who was arrested after a traffic stop. The discovery came after she disclosed her captivity during a video call with the child of another player, prompting FBI and state police to intervene and rescue her the same day. Authorities emphasize ongoing efforts to hold perpetrators accountable and warn about tactics used to target and exploit children online. The case underscores the dangers of online grooming and the importance of community tips in missing-person investigations.
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Kylie Arellano, then 17, disappeared from Garden City, Utah, on May 29, 2025, with belongings and her Xbox left behind, signaling she had been taken.
She was reportedly held in a basement in Oregon and repeatedly assaulted over a period spanning 2025 and 2026, after being groomed by an online acquaintance.
The breakthrough occurred when Arellano identified herself to another young girl via an online contact from Among Us, prompting the other family to contact the FBI.
Authorities located and rescued Arellano the same day the tip was received, with Oregon State Police and federal agents charging the suspect, Adam Hunter Harmel, with transporting a minor across state lines for criminal sexual activity.
Harmel, 39, was arrested during a traffic stop; the home reportedly contained knives, BB guns, and sexual lubricant, and Arellano alleged she was forced to remove braces using pliers.
FBI Director Kash Patel acknowledged the investigation and stressed efforts to protect children online and to pursue those who exploit them.
Arellano’s mother publicly celebrated her safe return and urged continued accountability for those responsible.