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For the girl’s family, the moment of confirmation was an emotional tidal wave. For years, they had lived in a state of suspended animation, unable to fully mourn yet unable to find peace. The news that she was found alive brought with it an overwhelming sense of gratitude—a “miracle” that many had privately feared would never come. Relatives have expressed their deepest thanks to the law enforcement officers who treated the case as a priority even as the years stacked up, as well as the tireless volunteers who kept her face on billboards and social media feeds. While the reunion is a cause for celebration, it is also a sober beginning to a different kind of struggle: the long, arduous process of healing and reintegration. The emotional and psychological toll of a four-year absence is immense, and the family is now preparing to provide the support and sanctuary she will need to reclaim her childhood.
