A 16-year-old girl from Columbia, Missouri, who went missing in December, was found alive in the closet of a registered sex offender’s home in Fort Collins, Colorado — about 700 miles from where she disappeared.

Police discovered the teen during a raid on the home of 44-year-old Maximilian Bondrescu, who initially denied she was there. He allegedly drove to Missouri to pick her up and held her captive at his home, where she says she was forced to work for his snow removal business and only occasionally allowed outside, wearing a mask to conceal her identity.

The girl told police she met Bondrescu on social media apps Boo and Snapchat. Her father had reported her missing when she stopped attending school. She also told authorities she had asked to go home earlier in the year, but Bondrescu claimed he couldn’t afford the trip.

Fort Collins Police Assistant Chief Kristy Volesky praised the Cyber Crime Unit for their efforts, saying their work was crucial in rescuing the teen and ensuring justice.

Bondrescu faces multiple charges, including kidnapping, child abuse, false imprisonment, and failing to register as a sex offender.