THE aunt of the Arkansas teenager who went missing for nine days earlier this month has broken her silence after the long search ended.
Just hours after she pleaded for her niece’s return in an emotional Facebook post, Natasha Garrett shared the major news that the teen had been found.
Hannah Osborn smiling with a birthday cake in a picture her aunt shared on Facebook[/caption]
Hannah Osborn, who was missing for nine days after her parents launched a search[/caption]
Wesley Osborn posted multiple messages on Facebook asking for Hannah to come home[/caption]
Hannah Osborn, 17, was located safely on Monday after she disappeared from her dad’s home in rural Arkansas on August 9.
It’s unclear where she had been while police and community members scoured the area around Bradford, about 70 miles northeast of Little Rock, for nine days.
Worries began to grow when Hannah’s dad, Wesley Osborn, raised concerns about the teen’s Snapchat activity after she disappeared.
As people took to social media to spread awareness about Hannah’s disappearance, her aunt decided to share a sweet message to her niece in case she had access to social media.
“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 continued, “I’m not always front and center and I don’t get to see you and spend time with you as often as I would have liked BUT I have always tried to reassure you that I love you and I’m always here if you need me!”
Garrett, who also goes by Sha, added, “Sha loves you kiddo!”
“I know life isn’t perfect… no one’s is. You have people in your life who have always been there that need to know you are ok. And that would gladly help you figure this out.”
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.
Hours later – Wesley posts online with a heartfelt plea. He writes: “Hannah, I love you and I miss you, and I really need you to just 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.
Hannah Osborn and her dad, who told police he was worried there had been foul play[/caption]
