Concern grows for missing New Bedford teen

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — There is still no sign of what happened to missing New Bedford teenager Jalajhia Finklea after more than a week.

And now the emergence of videos posted to the Twitter account of the man she might be with, has Jalajhia’s family even more concerned.

Jalajhia is a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and is living in New Bedford.

She was last seen on October 20, the day before she turned 18.

>> MORE: New Bedford Police search for missing teen, member of Mashpee Wampanoag tribe

Jalajhia’s family believes she is with 37-year-old Luis Barboza, a man known to her family.

Neither Jalajhia nor Barboza have been in contact with their families.

But Barboza’s Twitter account now contains newly upload videos of Jalajhia and Barboza together.

Jalajhia’s aunt, Tia Costa tells me, the videos are alarming because the video is months old.

“If he’s going to post a video, you want to see her in a video shot today, not something shot seven months ago. I want to see her today,” Costa said.

“I’m obviously fearing for the worst. It’s been a while. Honestly, if he has my niece and she’s OK, then why wouldn’t he show her face? Why wouldn’t he let her call somebody or reach out? I just don’t understand why he is playing games on his end and not letting her speak out for herself,” Costa added.

Luis Barboza’s mother told me she has not heard from her son in more than a week, and she is concerned for him.

New Bedford Police are investigating the case.

If you have seen Jalajhia or Barboza, contact New Bedford Police at (508) 991-6360.

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