Teen Missing Since 2022 Discovered Alive in Virginia Home After Four Years

Joniah Walker, a teenager who went missing on June 23, 2022, after traveling from Milwaukee to Chicago, was rescued alive from a house in Blacksburg, Virginia, where she had been held for four years. The discovery came after Blacksburg police responded to a domestic-disturbance report on May 23 and, during the investigation, learned the caller was a missing Wisconsin juvenile. A subsequent search warrant revealed Walker's confinement at the residence.

Owen Lars Anderson, the homeowner, has been charged with kidnapping, immoral acts with a juvenile, strangulation, child abuse, and preventing a 911 call, with further charges expected. Milwaukee police have also filed kidnapping and child-abduction charges, noting Anderson was found with a Glock pistol, additional firearms, knives, and pepper spray. Authorities do not believe the case involved human trafficking, though they warned of online predators exploiting digital platforms.