Missing 16-year-old girl found alive in home of registered sex offender in Colorado

A 16-year-old girl who had been missing since December 2024 has been found alive inside the home of a registered sex offender in Fort Collins, Colorado, authorities confirmed.

The Fort Collins Police Department announced the arrest of 44-year-old Maximilian Bondrescu on April 18, following a tip from a Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force detective about a possible kidnapping. According to an April 24 press release, the missing teenager was believed to be in Fort Collins.

“Fort Collins Police Detectives developed information suggesting the missing female may be at a residence in the 800 block of Warren Landing,” the release said. A search warrant was obtained with assistance from the Fort Collins Police SWAT team.

Upon arrival, Bondrescu initially denied the presence of the teen in the house. However, a thorough search led officers to the missing girl, who was found alive inside the residence. Police confirmed that Bondrescu is a registered sex offender and that he was immediately taken into custody and booked at Larimer County Jail.

Bondrescu now faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including:

Class 2 Felony – Second-degree kidnapping of a child

Class 3 Felony – Sexual assault on a child (pattern of abuse)

Class 4 Felony – Second-degree assault

Class 5 Felony – False imprisonment (minor locked in a room)
He also faces misdemeanors for child abuse, harboring a minor, obstructing a peace officer, and failure to register as a sex offender.

Investigators discovered that Bondrescu had rented a vehicle to travel to Missouri, where he allegedly picked up the girl before transporting her to Colorado. The victim later told police she was held against her will and forced to work for Bondrescu’s snow removal business, FoCo Sno GO.

“She was made to wear a mask while shoveling snow in order to hide her identity and age,” the statement added.

Fort Collins Police Assistant Chief Kristy Volesky praised the collaborative effort of law enforcement agencies involved:

“The work of our Cyber Crime Unit and similar units nationwide plays a vital role in protecting children. Without their diligence, this young girl may have remained a victim.”

Authorities say they will now work closely with the District Attorney’s Office to pursue justice. According to Larimer County Jail records, Bondrescu is being held on a $500,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, May 5.

Fort Collins Police have yet to release further details regarding the ongoing investigation.

Source: People.com