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Utah teenager rescued in Oregon after Among Us plea for help
A 17-year-old Utah girl was rescued after more than 500 days in captivity in Oregon, following an appeal for help to another player on the online game Among Us. Her account during a monitored video call led federal investigators to locate her and Oregon State Police to recover her, highlighting how an online connection helped break a case that had prompted a wide search.
Court documents say Kylie Arellano disappeared from Garden City, Utah, on 29 May 2025, aged 15. Authorities allege that Adam Hunter Harmel, now 39, groomed her online, drove her to his Oregon home and kept her there, where she was subjected to violence and control; investigators say evidence at the property supported parts of her account. Harmel is charged with travelling across state lines with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, which carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years if he is convicted.
In short
- A teenager used Among Us to reach someone who could alert the FBI.
- Investigators say she was held in Oregon for more than 500 days.
- The accused faces a federal charge carrying at least 10 years if convicted.
Explained simply
Kylie Arellano was 15 when she disappeared from Garden City, Utah, in May 2025. Investigators allege that Adam Hunter Harmel, who was 39, contacted her online, took her to his home in Oregon and kept her there.
The case involves alleged grooming, abuse and control, and a search that lasted more than 500 days. Arellano’s plea to another player on Among Us, an online game, led investigators to her location and helped Oregon State Police recover her.
Harmel faces a federal charge related to crossing state lines to engage in criminal sexual activity. He is presumed innocent unless convicted; the charge carries a minimum 10-year sentence if he is found guilty.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Teenager kidnapped by predator at 15 plotted bold escape plan by sounding alarm on popular game before rescue from 500-day nightmare”.