Chrisma Denny’s family is breathing a collective sigh of relief now that she is on her way home to their home in Eskasoni.

The 24-year-old woman had been missing since September.

“We were really happy,” says Chrisma’s father Keith. “Everybody was in tears. I had two of Chrisma’s brothers in the bedroom and they overhear us and cape out. They were happy; tears of joy.”

Chrisma was found by police at a women’s shelter in Knoxville, Tenessee. Her family was notified Sunday morning.

“It’s been very stressful,” says Eskasoni First Nation Chief Leroy Denny. “People wondering. Our community didn’t lose hope. They kept praying.”

This is not the first time she’s disappeared. Her family says she’s struggled with mental health issues, and has had trouble dealing with the loss of her mother to suicide in 2012.

“She is a priority right now,” he says. “We’re going to try to get things done to better myself and herself.”

Chrisma will be met by a family member in Bangor, Maine. They are expected to be back in Cape Breton on Tuesday.

“I’m going to say I love you first of all,” says Keith. “I’m going to give her a hug and tell her, ‘You’re home.’”

With files from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore.