Minn. Woman Is Missing — as Allegedly Abusive Boyfriend Is Arrested With Burn Marks on Face

Harriet Sokmensuer
Updated

Minnesota police are searching for the body of a missing woman while her boyfriend sits behind bars in an Arkansas jail, PEOPLE confirms.

Cristina Proden was reported missing on Jan. 5, days after taking back her allegedly abusive boyfriend, Joseph Porter, against whom she previously received a no-contact order that he subsequently violated, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Porter was arrested in Arkansas for theft charges on Jan. 10 and is currently behind bars in Pulaski County Jail, according to jail records. In his booking photo, the 25-year-old appears to have burn marks across his face.

From the beginning, Proden and Porter’s relationship was tumultuous, her mother told KMSP.

Cristina Prodan
Cristina Prodan

The couple met online last fall and carried out a relationship on Facebook— before Porter moved from Arkansas to be with Proden in Edina, her mother recalled. Despite her mother’s warnings, Proden welcomed Porter into her home.

“She felt in love with him—she wanted to get married,” Livia Prodan told the outlet. “I told her, ‘He doesn’t love you, he just came to you to steal from you — he’s homeless, he doesn’t work.'”

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Porter has a criminal history in Arkansas, including second-degree battery, burglary and property damage, according to the Star-Tribune. Livia Prodan told WCCO that her daughter was a warm-hearted person.

“She bought food for him,” Livia Prodan told the station. “She bought him clothes, and he killed her.”

In December, Proden filed a domestic abuse no-contact order against Porter. A week before Proden was reported missing, Porter violated the order and was convicted of gross misdemeanor violation, according to FOX9.

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It is unclear whether Porter has an attorney or has entered a plea for the charges in Arkansas. Edina police was able to confirm Prodan was reported missing but could not comment further case, pending charges against Porter, a spokesperson tells PEOPLE.