Teen Girl Who Vanished For Six Weeks Found Safe 500 Miles From Home

A teenage girl from Utah who had been missing for nearly six weeks has finally been found safe after she walked into a police station and identified herself.

On April 21, 2025, 15-year-old Alisa Petrov from South Jordan, Utah, was reported missing as a 'runaway'. She was last seen leaving her school in American Fork that day.

Officials from the South Jordan Police Department explained that Alisa had apparently been trying to meet people she connected with online. She was using a variety of chat apps and social media platforms to talk to strangers.

"Alisa is listed as a Runway Juvenile who is endangered." a statement from the department read.

"Any knowledge of her whereabouts should be reported to Law Enforcement immediately."

Alisa Petrov went missing from her school in Utah Findalisa.com

On April 29, the department shared a post on Facebook to bring public attention to her disappearance and help gather leads.

According to the post, Alisa had left her school on foot, stopped at a nearby gas station to buy a few things, and was later seen getting on a UTA train.

She reportedly got off at the Provo station not long after.

"Alisa reportedly asked multiple people to aid in her travel to Las Vegas." the force added.

South Jordan Police Department says it has located Alisa

The South Jordan Police Department issued a new statement early on June 2 to share an important development in the case.

It stated: "In the evening hours of June 1, 2025, a young female voluntarily made contact with the Colorado Springs, Colorado Police Department and identified herself as Alisa Petrov."

"Alisa's identity was confirmed. Alisa is in good health and safe with Colorado officials."

The authorities confirmed that Alisa's parents had been informed about her whereabouts. They were now working together with officials to bring her back home safely.

The announcement came after police shared that they'd arrested several individuals during their search. These men were believed to have had contact with Alisa before she disappeared, but they were not currently suspected of playing a direct role in her vanishing.

South Jordan Police Department confirmed Alisa has been found Facebook/South Jordan Police Department

Arrests made within the investigation

As part of their investigation, police announced on May 20 that they had identified a suspect named Matthew Nicholas Menard from Miami, Florida.

Menard is now facing several charges, including enticement of a minor, criminal solicitation, and aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor.

Authorities also named a second suspect, William Taylor Glines from Texas. Glines is facing multiple charges too, including enticement of a minor, criminal solicitation, attempted aggravated exploitation of a minor, aggravated exploitation of a minor, and sexual exploitation of a minor.

Police allege that both men had been in communication with Alisa Petrov before she left school on April 21.

Then on May 28, the department revealed that Menard had turned himself in to the authorities voluntarily.

Investigators also arrested a third man named Samuel Mitchell, from Herriman, Utah. He was taken into custody on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and was booked into jail shortly afterward.

Throughout the ordeal, Alisa's parents remained hopeful. They even created a website to help gather support and spread awareness while they searched for their daughter.

Police and Alisa's parents are working to get her back home Findalisa.com

What Alisa's parents have said

Their website shared this update: "Thank you everyone for all your help! Thank you for sharing the news, thank you for following, and thank you for the tips! Alisa walked into a police department today on June 1 2025. She was gone for almost six weeks."

On the site, the family expressed their deep appreciation to the police department, the Salt Lake City FBI team, and their supportive friends. They also gave a special thanks to 'Jaz from Missing In America Network' for offering emotional support during an incredibly hard time.

It resolves: "Also special thank you to our local community for Praying!"