ALICIA Navarro’s mother has made a desperate plea to the public as theories have begun to swirl after her daughter was mysteriously found alive.
Navarro disappeared when she was 14 from Glendale, Arizona, outside of Phoenix.
The Glendale Police Department announced that the now 18-year-old with high-functioning autism had been found in Montana at a press conference on Wednesday.
Although they didn’t disclose her exact location, department spokesperson Jose Santiago said Navarro has been living in a small town near the Canadian border.
“She is by all accounts safe, she is by all accounts healthy, and she is by all accounts happy,” he said.
“She went to a local police department in that area, she identified herself as Alicia Navarro, and at that point, our officers went into investigation mode.”
Navarro’s mother, Jessica Nuñez made an emotional video on Facebook Sunday night, begging for the public to “move on” as questions surround the circumstances of her daughter’s disappearance.
She warned in the video that the “search for answers has taken a turn for the dangerous” and claimed that she and her family have been targeted since Navarro was found.
“I have been harassed, my family has been attacked all over the Internet — the public has gone from trying to help Alicia to doing things like trying to show up to her house and putting her safety in jeopardy,” claimed Nuñez.
“So I beg you, please no more TikToks, no more reaching out to Alicia or me with your speculation or questions or assumptions. This is not a movie, this is our life, this is my daughter.”
‘CLOSURE’
According to Santiago, Navarro came forward because she wanted to be removed from the missing persons database.
After conducting interviews with her and her family, investigators concluded that the woman in Montana is the missing teen.
“We are confident the person that we are talking with is indeed Alicia Navarro,” Santiago said.
Navarro, who has reportedly asked for privacy, disappeared in the middle of the night after leaving a note at her mother’s home, KTAR reported.
“I ran away. I will be back. I swear. I’m sorry,” the message said.
Nunez believed that the teen was lured away by an online predator, KNXV reported.
Police, however, said that Navarro left of her own free will.
Her mother has been searching relentlessly ever since.
“No one hurt me,” Navarro said in a video of her conversation with police provided by investigators.
They have not disclosed who she has been staying with.
Navarro has not been taken into custody and the details of how she disappeared are still being investigated.
“We are happy and at the same time, we are hopeful we will be able to supply this family with a little more closure,” Santiago said.
Nuñez said she appreciated everyone who came out to support her family.
“I could never have kept going without all of your love, help and well wishes,” she tearfully said. “I can’t even put into words the amount of gratitude I have for you all.
“But now that we know Alicia is alive, I have to ask one more favor of you,” she continued. “I know you want answers, and I do too, but the public’s search for answers has taken a turn for the dangerous.
“I love her more than anything in the world, and I think I have shown you that.”
Nuñez specifically called out internet sleuths that are taking interest in the case and begged them to let the police do their work.
“There’s an ongoing investigation, and I’m begging you to move on,” she said.
The caption of the video read: “Let’s focus [on the fact] that my daughter is alive. This is a miracle.”
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