A 15-year-old Utah girl who disappeared nearly six weeks ago—sparking an investigation into three men, including at least one who exchanged sexually explicit messages with her—has been located unharmed over 500 miles away in Colorado, authorities confirmed.
Teen walked into police station unharmed
Alisa Petrov of South Jordan entered the Colorado Springs Police Department on Sunday evening, six weeks after she was last seen, according to KUTV. Police reported that the girl appeared to be in good health but have not yet determined how she arrived at the station or whether she was held against her will.
Petrov had been missing since April 21, two days after sending a final message to a 41-year-old man with whom she had engaged in disturbing sexual conversations, according to an affidavit obtained by KSL TV.
Disturbing online chats led to arrests
In the early hours of April 19, Petrov reportedly messaged an unidentified Herriman, Utah, man she met on Discord, writing:
“I’M RUNNING AWAY. Please don’t contact me.”
The recipient was later identified as Samuel Teancum Mitchell after police traced the phone number he had provided to Petrov, KUTV reported. Investigators uncovered increasingly explicit exchanges between the two, including discussions about condoms, sex games, and plans to meet in person.
The messages were found on Petrov’s iPad, which she left behind in her bedroom. Authorities noted that some communications may have been deleted.
Three men face felony charges
Mitchell, 41, was arrested Wednesday and charged with five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor—a second-degree felony—as well as enticement of a minor.
Two additional men were also charged for their alleged communications with Petrov before her disappearance.
- William Taylor Glines, 37, is in custody in Texas, facing charges of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, attempted aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor (both first-degree felonies), and criminal solicitation.
- Matthew Nicholas Menard, 35, of Florida, turned himself in Wednesday night. He was charged with aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, enticing a minor, and three counts of criminal solicitation.
Disappearance and investigation
Petrov was last seen on surveillance footage leaving a train platform in Provo. Her family had offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to her safe return.
While the circumstances of her disappearance remain under investigation, authorities have not yet disclosed how Petrov traveled to Colorado or whether she was accompanied during her time away.
