A 17-year-old reported missing in Utah has been found safe in Oregon more than 500 days later, authorities said. Following the recovery, the FBI issued a warning to groups that target and exploit children.
The teenager was located Sunday afternoon in Oregon with a 39-year-old man, according to an FBI Salt Lake City news release. The man was taken into custody without incident.
Authorities said the girl was first reported missing from Garden City, Utah, in May 2025.
“Tonight, local police in Oregon brought a minor who had been missing for a year and a half to safety, acting on information provided by our FBI Salt Lake City Field Office,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement.
“We are grateful she can return home, and we will continue working with our partners to hold those responsible accountable,” Patel added.
Patel also directed a warning at groups involved in targeting minors, saying, “To anyone using gore groups to target and exploit children: the FBI and our partners are coming for you.”
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The FBI director said the agency is using “every tool at our disposal” to confront nihilistic violent extremism, pursue offenders and protect children across the United States.
The announcement did not provide further details about the warning or explain its reference to “gore groups.”
The FBI said its Salt Lake City office and the Rich County Sheriff’s Office have been investigating the case.
The Rich County Sheriff’s Office in Utah shared the FBI’s update.
ABC News contacted the FBI’s Salt Lake City office seeking additional information.
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