THE aunt of the Arkansas teenager who went missing for nine days earlier this month has broken her silence after the long search ended.
Mere hours after she made an emotional plea on Facebook for her niece’s return, Natasha Garrett revealed the wonderful news that the missing teen had been located.
Hannah Osborn, 17, was located safely on Monday after she disappeared from her dad’s home in rural Arkansas on August 9.
Details about her whereabouts remain unclear, although police and local residents had spent nine days searching around Bradford, approximately 70 miles northeast of Little Rock.
Worries began to grow when Hannah’s dad, Wesley Osborn, raised concerns about the teen’s Snapchat activity after she disappeared.
As social media buzzed with concern over Hannah’s disappearance, her aunt chose to post a heartfelt message on the chance her niece might see it.
“I was there in the hospital room the day you entered this world!” Garrett wrote at 11:46 am local time on Monday.
The doting aunt said she’s been to every one of Hannah’s birthday parties and major life events.
“I’ve been there through the mountains and valleys life has thrown at you.”
She expressed, “I’m not always present, and I don’t get to connect with you as much as I wish, BUT please remember, I’ve always tried to show that I love you and am here if you need me!”
Garrett, who also goes by Sha, added, “Sha loves you kiddo!”
“I know life is flawed… nobody’s life is perfect. There are people in your life who’ve always been there for you, and they need to know you’re safe. They would gladly help you find your way.”
She reminded Hannah that she has “safe” people to reach out to who care about her well-being.
“You know where to find me or reach out and I’ll come get you wherever you are!” Garrett concluded.
Just hours later, at 2:18 pm, she edited the post with the joyful update.
“Praise the Lord!! Hannah has been found!!” Garrett wrote.
Timeline of Hannah Osborn’s disappearance
HANNAH Osborn, a teenager from Arkansas, has gone missing. The U.S. Sun breaks down the timeline of her disappearance.
August 9 – Hannah is last seen at around 7:40pm leaving her dad Wesley’s house in Bradford, Arkansas.
August 10 – Wesley posts online in the early hours and reveals that his daughter will be a missing person at 8am local time.
Just hours later – Wesley made an online appeal, writing: “Hannah, I love and miss you dearly, and I urge you to come back home.”
August 11 – Wesley speaks of his heartache. He revealed he’s overwhelmed with emotion and asks Hannah for some sort of “assurance.”
August 14: Wesley and his wife Crystal (Hannah’s mom) open up about their fears that she may have met someone on Snapchat in an interview.
August 16: Week since Hannah was last seen.
August 17: Wesley begs Hannah to give him or a family member a call. In the post, he offers to gather his daughter’s belongings and take her where she wants to go. “We will not stop looking for you until we know you are safe,” he vows.
August 18: Hannah Osborn is located safely hours after her aunt posted about her disappearance on Facebook.
It’s unclear if Hannah had seen Garrett’s post. Garrett didn’t immediately return The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
The conclusion of the search for Hannah comes as a relief after her dad was worried that there had been foul play brought on by online activity.
“She’s had problems with being on that Snapchat and meeting people out of town and things, but Hannah has always come home,” Wesley told ABC affiliate KATV.
Wesley shared consistent messages on Facebook begging his daughter to come home throughout her disappearance.
He echoed Garrett’s message in asking Hannah to call one of her family members.
The dad hasn’t posted again since Hannah was found.
