A 17-year-old Utah girl who went missing in May 2025 was rescued from an Oregon home after authorities received a tip that she was being held against her will. (Credit: Sebastian Barros/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
HUNTINGTON, Ore. - A 17-year-old Utah girl who disappeared in May 2025 was rescued from an Oregon home over the weekend, where authorities say she was being held against her will by a 39-year-old man now facing federal charges.
Authorities located the girl at a home in Huntington after receiving a tip. Suspect Adam Hunter Harmel was arrested on Sunday during a traffic stop about 30 miles away, according to court records.
He is charged with transporting the teenager across state lines with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
Missing Utah teen found after 18 months
The backstory:
The investigation began after the missing teenager told another child she had met online that she had run away and was being held against her will at a man's home in Oregon.
On Sunday, the other child's parent contacted the Utah girl through a video call while FBI agents monitored the conversation, according to court documents.
During the call, the teenager said she met Harmel through social media and that he drove her from Utah to Oregon, an FBI agent said in court records.
The girl also described a series of alleged abuses, telling investigators that Harmel threw her phone into a river, prevented her from leaving his home and frequently hit her.
RELATED: Grandfather, grandson charged in violent crime spree involving kidnapping, carjacking
She further alleged that Harmel sexually assaulted her and made her sleep against a wall to prevent her from escaping the bed they shared.
According to the FBI, the teenager also said Harmel forced her to remove her braces using pliers in an apparent effort to prevent her identification.
Harmel scheduled to appear in federal court
Dig deeper:
No attorney for Harmel was listed in court records.
Harmel was scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court Wednesday.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah Melissa Holyoak said the priority in the case was the "safe return of the minor victim."
"Those who allegedly exploit and prey upon the most vulnerable members of our communities will be relentlessly investigated and held accountable."
The Source: This story was reported from Los Angeles. The Associated Press, FOX News contributed.