A teenage girl who had been missing for more than a year was finally rescued after seeking help in Among Us.
A missing 17-year-old girl managed to seek help using an unlikely source: Among Us. She reportedly used the online multiplayer game to alert other players to her situation and eventually led authorities to her location.
According to local reports, the teenager, Kylie Arellano, disappeared from her home in Garden City, Utah, in May 2025, when she was just 15 years old. She was found by police in Huntington, Oregon, on November 1, 2026, after spending approximately 521 days in captivity.
Federal prosecutors allege that 39-year-old Adam Hunter Harmel met Arellano online before offering her money to travel to Oregon. He allegedly picked her up in Utah, disposed of her phone, and transported her across state lines. Once at his home, he reportedly prevented her from leaving and kept her in the basement.
Teenager Finds an Unexpected Way to Seek Help
Despite her circumstances, Arellano eventually found an opportunity to reach out. According to reports, Harmel had given her a phone without cellular service, although it could still connect to Wi-Fi.
In October 2026, she began communicating with another player through Among Us, revealing that she was being held against her will at a man's home, federal court documents state. She also admitted she feared authorities had completely given up searching for her.
The other player quickly alerted their mother about the chat, prompting an immediate report to the FBI. Investigators then arranged a monitored video call with Arellano on November 1, during which she provided details about her location and showed evidence backing her claims.
Suspect Faces Federal Charges
Authorities located and rescued the teenager from Harmel's property that same day, immediately transporting her to receive medical care.
Harmel was arrested during a traffic stop in Ontario, Oregon, and subsequently charged with transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
According to official filings, investigators executed a search warrant on Harmel's home and recovered physical evidence corroborating key elements of Arellano's testimony.