A pregnant Native American teenager who went missing in Boston five weeks ago has been found dead in a field in Florida, three weeks after the man suspected of abducting her was shot dead in a stand off with US Marshals.
Jalahjia Finklea vanished from her home in Boston on October 20 the night before her 18th birthday.
She was last seen leaving the house after going to the doctor in the morning for the first part of what authorities said was a two-part surgery. She was five-months-pregnant at the time.
Tribal police said she'd been abducted by Luis Barboza, 37. He was shot dead three weeks ago.
Jalahjia Finklea, 18, vanished from her home in Boston on October 20. The performer and dancer was found dead in Florida in a field on Wednesday
Three weeks ago, a man who tribal police said she'd been abducted by Luis Barboza, a man nearly 20 years her senior
Jalahjia was a proud member of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe.
Barboza was killed in a shootout with US Marshals in the parking lot of a McDonald's in Florida on November 6.
On Wednesday, police announced they'd found her body in a field off of Route 95 in Fellsmere, Florida.
It's unclear what type of condition she was found in or what the cause of death was.
It is also unclear why tribal police suspected Barboza.
Finklea had posted on social media about being a dancer and performer.
She also appeared on promotional flyers for a secret 'pool party' at an undisclosed location where there were 'hotels' nearby.
It's unclear who her baby's father was.
The teenager's mother said she had become 'very worried' about her.
On a GoFundme page, she said: 'It’s not like my daughter to not call or keep in contact with any of our family.
She has no social media presence or phone activity since she’s been missing.
The teenager vanished after undergoing the first part of a two-part surgery which police will not disclose more information about
'Luis is armed & dangerous I’m asking for donations to help pay towards the investigation to bring my baby home.
Jalahjia Finklea vanished from her home in Boston on October 20 the night before her 18th birthday
'Any amount is greatly appreciated, my family thanks you all for the continued prayers.'
The account has raised more than $6,000 dollars.
The tribe was offering a reward for any information that could lead to the teen being brought home safely.
'Sadly, the growing number of missing indigenous women across the country do not receive the attention that our caucasian neighbors receive.
'The numbers are staggering. Our women are abducted at a rate 10 times higher than other ethnicities.
'We have to work harder to bring attention to Jalajhia and we do need your help.
'It’s hurtful and it’s painful.
'I pray to God that she is safe, and it’s a matter of time before we can bring her home,' Tribal Council Chairman Cedric Cromwell said in a flyer about her disappearance.
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