Topline: The girl’s father had reported her missing on December 6, 2024.
Published: May 1, 2025 6:30 am ET
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Maximilian Bondrescu (via Larimer County Sheriff's Office)
FORT COLLINS, CO — A 16-year-old girl from Columbia, Missouri who had been missing since December was discovered earlier this month hiding in a closet inside the Fort Collins residence of a registered sex offender.
The investigation was revived on April 15 when the girl’s dormant Instagram account was used to message someone, KUSA reported.
According to an arrest affidavit, detectives traced the login to an IP address at the home of 44-year-old Maximilian Bondrescu.
With Bondrescu listed as a registered sex offender, police secured a warrant and searched his home on April 18.
Although Bondrescu claimed no one else was there, officers eventually found the girl concealed in a closet.
He was arrested and booked into the Larimer County Jail on a range of charges including second-degree kidnapping, sexual assault on a child, false imprisonment, child abuse, and failing to properly register as a sex offender.
The girl’s father had reported her missing on December 6, 2024, after learning she had not shown up to school and couldn’t be reached, according to KUSA.
Classmates told authorities she had spoken about running away to Colorado.
According to the affidavit, the girl told investigators she met Bondrescu through an app called “Boo” in November 2024, later switching their conversations to Snapchat. She said she arranged for him to pick her up late at night, and that he rented a vehicle and avoided toll roads during the drive.
Upon arriving in Fort Collins, she said he carried her into the house wrapped in a blanket to keep her hidden. The affidavit states he had her alter her appearance, dye her hair, and wear a mask and sunglasses when outside. She said she only left the home a few times over several months.
She also told police that when she asked to return home, Bondrescu said it wasn’t possible because he couldn’t afford it. Isolated and without her identification or permit—which she said he took—she felt trapped.
Investigators learned she used an old phone Bondrescu had given her to send the Instagram message that led to her rescue. She said he had broken the device she originally brought with her.
The girl also said Bondrescu made her work for his snow removal business, FoCo Sno GO, and forced her to wear a mask while shoveling to hide her identity, police said.
Bondrescu remains in custody on a $500,000 cash bond. Records show he was previously convicted in another state in May 2019 for communication with a minor for immoral purposes.
Authorities are urging anyone with information, including customers of FoCo Sno GO, to contact Fort Collins police at 970-416-2026.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Maximilian Bondrescu (via Larimer County Sheriff's Office)
FORT COLLINS, CO — A 16-year-old girl from Columbia, Missouri who had been missing since December was discovered earlier this month hiding in a closet inside the Fort Collins residence of a registered sex offender.
The investigation was revived on April 15 when the girl’s dormant Instagram account was used to message someone, KUSA reported.
According to an arrest affidavit, detectives traced the login to an IP address at the home of 44-year-old Maximilian Bondrescu.
With Bondrescu listed as a registered sex offender, police secured a warrant and searched his home on April 18.
Although Bondrescu claimed no one else was there, officers eventually found the girl concealed in a closet.
He was arrested and booked into the Larimer County Jail on a range of charges including second-degree kidnapping, sexual assault on a child, false imprisonment, child abuse, and failing to properly register as a sex offender.
The girl’s father had reported her missing on December 6, 2024, after learning she had not shown up to school and couldn’t be reached, according to KUSA.
Classmates told authorities she had spoken about running away to Colorado.
According to the affidavit, the girl told investigators she met Bondrescu through an app called “Boo” in November 2024, later switching their conversations to Snapchat. She said she arranged for him to pick her up late at night, and that he rented a vehicle and avoided toll roads during the drive.
Upon arriving in Fort Collins, she said he carried her into the house wrapped in a blanket to keep her hidden. The affidavit states he had her alter her appearance, dye her hair, and wear a mask and sunglasses when outside. She said she only left the home a few times over several months.
She also told police that when she asked to return home, Bondrescu said it wasn’t possible because he couldn’t afford it. Isolated and without her identification or permit—which she said he took—she felt trapped.
Investigators learned she used an old phone Bondrescu had given her to send the Instagram message that led to her rescue. She said he had broken the device she originally brought with her.
The girl also said Bondrescu made her work for his snow removal business, FoCo Sno GO, and forced her to wear a mask while shoveling to hide her identity, police said.
Bondrescu remains in custody on a $500,000 cash bond. Records show he was previously convicted in another state in May 2019 for communication with a minor for immoral purposes.
Authorities are urging anyone with information, including customers of FoCo Sno GO, to contact Fort Collins police at 970-416-2026.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Missouri Teen Missing for 4 Months Located Safely in Sex Offender’s Closet
The girl’s father had reported her missing on December 6, 2024.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 1, 2025 6:30 am ET
Maximilian Bondrescu (via Larimer County Sheriff's Office)
FORT COLLINS, CO — A 16-year-old girl from Columbia, Missouri who had been missing since December was discovered earlier this month hiding in a closet inside the Fort Collins residence of a registered sex offender.
The investigation was revived on April 15 when the girl’s dormant Instagram account was used to message someone, KUSA reported.
According to an arrest affidavit, detectives traced the login to an IP address at the home of 44-year-old Maximilian Bondrescu.
With Bondrescu listed as a registered sex offender, police secured a warrant and searched his home on April 18.
Although Bondrescu claimed no one else was there, officers eventually found the girl concealed in a closet.
He was arrested and booked into the Larimer County Jail on a range of charges including second-degree kidnapping, sexual assault on a child, false imprisonment, child abuse, and failing to properly register as a sex offender.
The girl’s father had reported her missing on December 6, 2024, after learning she had not shown up to school and couldn’t be reached, according to KUSA.
Classmates told authorities she had spoken about running away to Colorado.
According to the affidavit, the girl told investigators she met Bondrescu through an app called “Boo” in November 2024, later switching their conversations to Snapchat. She said she arranged for him to pick her up late at night, and that he rented a vehicle and avoided toll roads during the drive.
Upon arriving in Fort Collins, she said he carried her into the house wrapped in a blanket to keep her hidden. The affidavit states he had her alter her appearance, dye her hair, and wear a mask and sunglasses when outside. She said she only left the home a few times over several months.
She also told police that when she asked to return home, Bondrescu said it wasn’t possible because he couldn’t afford it. Isolated and without her identification or permit—which she said he took—she felt trapped.
Investigators learned she used an old phone Bondrescu had given her to send the Instagram message that led to her rescue. She said he had broken the device she originally brought with her.
The girl also said Bondrescu made her work for his snow removal business, FoCo Sno GO, and forced her to wear a mask while shoveling to hide her identity, police said.
Bondrescu remains in custody on a $500,000 cash bond. Records show he was previously convicted in another state in May 2019 for communication with a minor for immoral purposes.
Authorities are urging anyone with information, including customers of FoCo Sno GO, to contact Fort Collins police at 970-416-2026.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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