Missing Royal City girl found safe

MOSES LAKE – Monica Helberg, the Royal City teen missing since Jan. 8, was found safe in Moses Lake on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 15.

According to the sheriff’s office, Helberg, 16, turned herself in to a Moses Lake attorney about 4 p.m. The attorney then notified the sheriff’s office.

Helberg is reportedly safe, in good health and confirmed to the sheriff’s office she was not abducted and travelled willingly with Miles “Logan” Moncada, 22. Her parents were reunited with her Wednesday night in Moses Lake.

“We’re all very happy that Monica did the right thing and came back home,” Sheriff Tom Jones said. “The past several days have been very busy, and I thank everyone who helped us search for Monica.”

Moncada was not at the attorney’s office with Helberg, and the sheriff’s office did not know his location at that time. Unless there is information a crime was committed, the sheriff’s office did not plan to look for him.

Helberg went missing Jan. 8 from her Royal City home and reportedly ran away with Moncada. The two previously had a relationship, according to the sheriff’s office.

Moncada was spotted Saturday at an Albuquerque motel but there was no sign of Helberg, according to previous reports. It is unclear if Helberg was with Moncada in Albuquerque or how she made her way back to Grant County.

The two were believed to be on their way to Texas, where Moncada has family, according to the sheriff’s office.