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A Kentucky teenager reunited with her family after she was reported missing over a year ago, People reports.
Kamaria Johnson, 18, who disappeared in May 2021, was recently "found safe," per the Radcliff Police Department. Johnson's mother, Consuela Jobe, brought her missing daughter to the department on Friday (December 2) after the pair reunited earlier that day.
Johnson told WDRB that she had no choice but to flee from her father, who she alleged was abusive.
"I had to save myself," Johnson said. "And I feel really guilty about it, but I just couldn't do it and it was just a lot to deal with, and no one was listening to me."
The teenager, 16 at the time, left her father's home in Radcliff on May 26, the same day she was last seen at a gas station. Johnson said she was prompted to flee after he punched her and stomped on her head earlier that evening.
She eventually found herself in Memphis, where she kept a low profile as authorities continued to search for her.
"I was still intensely in survival mode," Johnson said, "but it was definitely safer than the situation that I was in."
Johnson said she decided to contact her mother after her 18th birthday.
"There was just this really big fear that if I had reached out before that I would get sent back to my Dad," Johnson explained.
After the two talked over the phone, Jobe drove six hours to pick up her daughter. The mother said she hopes Johnson can get "some counseling and whatever help she needs."
"I got what I wanted for Christmas, reuniting with my family," Johnson said.
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