Update: FBI: Missing Girl Found Abduction NOT a Kidnapping

The male suspect who had been sought has been identified and interviewed while the investigation continues. The girl, who was reported missing the night of September 14, was found alive the next day at a trading post in Red Valley, Arizona. The FBI is working with the San Juan County Sheriff's Office and Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety on this investigation.

From the FBI

Friday, September 24, 2021

*Update*

An FBI investigation has determined that the reported abduction of a 13-year-old girl in Kirtland, N.M., on September 14 was not a kidnapping.

The male suspect who had been sought has been identified and interviewed while the investigation continues.

"We and our law enforcement partners are still sorting out what happened, but we spare no resources when we get a report that a child may be in danger," Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda of the FBI Albuquerque Division said. "I want to thank the special agents and staff in our Farmington Resident Agency for the hours they spent on this case. I also want to express our gratitude to the public for the information they sent us and to the media for helping us get the word out."

The girl, who was reported missing the night of September 14, was found alive the next day at a trading post in Red Valley, Arizona.

The FBI is working with the San Juan County Sheriff's Office and Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety on this investigation.

 

Thursday, September 16, 2021

*Update*

The FBI today released a sketch of the unidentified suspect in the kidnapping of a 13-year-old girl on Tuesday.

Anyone who recognizes this individual or knows his whereabout is asked to call the FBI at 505-889-1300 or use tips.fbi.gov.

 

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

The FBI and San Juan County Sheriff's Office are looking for a man suspected of kidnapping a 13-year-old girl in Kirtland, N.M.

The girl, who was reported missing Tuesday night, was found alive at a trading post in Red Valley, Ariz., on Wednesday at approximately 7:30-7:45 a.m.

The suspect is described as a Native American male in his 30s-40s, approximately 6' tall, with short brown hair. He had no facial hair.

He may be driving a dark colored four-door pickup truck with a bed cover, silver rims, and a 4x4 emblem.

He was last seen at Broken Horn arena/RV Park on County Road 6100 in Kirtland, where he allegedly abducted the girl at approximately 7:30 p.m.

"Law enforcement is actively searching for this suspect, but we need the public's help to bring this perpetrator to justice," said Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda of the Albuquerque FBI Division. "Anyone with information on this suspect's whereabouts is asked to immediately contact the FBI at 505-889-1300 or report online at tips.fbi.gov."

The Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety is assisting with this investigation.

More from Local News

  • City Breaks Ground on Pinon Hills Extension

    Farmington Officials gathered with representatives from the NM Department of Transportation and San Juan County to break ground on the long-anticipated Pinon Hills Boulevard Extension Project. San Juan County announced that design work on their section of the project is 90% completed.

  • Back to Bloomfield: Summers Selected as New Superintendent

    Kevin Summers will be returning to the Bloomfield School District as Superintendent, after the retirement of Dr. Kim Mizell at the end of the current school year. Summers' hire makes an opening in the Superintendent's Office in Aztec where he has served for the past three years.

  • Fort Lewis College Seeks New President

    Fort Lewis College President Tom Stritikus is stepping down to become the President at Occidental College, a four-year liberal arts college in Los Angeles, Calif.     He will leave after this year’s Spring Commencement scheduled for Saturday, May 4.  

  • First Navajo Set to join Farmington City Council

    There were 10 applicants for the vacant seat for District 2. Herman Buck will serve for 18 months with the option to run for election at the end of the current term. Council unanimously approved his appointment tonight. He will officially take office Wednesday morning after completing the swearing-in process.

  • Aztec Mill Levy Passes by 71 Vote Margin

    Unofficial results show the Aztec Mill Levy Mail in Ballot question passed with the 71 vote margin. The voting deadline was 7pm Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

  • Candidates Declare their Intent to Run in the June 4, 2024 Primary

    Some returning candidates and also some new names from Tuesday's filing day on March 12, 2024. These candidates have filed their notice to run in the June 4, 2024 Primary. Some candidates are unopposed. The winners in June will face off on November 5, 2024.

On KSJE Now:

Today's Weather

  • Farmington, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 66°F | Low: 37°F

  • Durango, CO

    Sunny intervals

    High: 57°F | Low: 32°F

  • Shiprock, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 70°F | Low: 39°F

  • Cortez, CO

    Sunny intervals

    High: 63°F | Low: 36°F

  • Santa Fe, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 57°F | Low: 37°F