Minnesota authorities investigating the disappearance of Madeline Kingsbury are consulting with a veteran prosecutor to help with the case, further indication that the missing mother of two’s disappearance may involve foul play, KTTC-TV reports.
The move comes as a judge ruled that Kingsbury’s young children should remain with her parents and not their father, Adam Fravel, who is believed to be the last person to see the kids’ mother alive.
Kingsbury, 26, has not been heard from since the morning of March 31, when she and Fravel dropped the kids off at a daycare in Winona, Minnesota, a city along the Mississippi River.
This week, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety confirmed that the Winona County Attorney’s Office is working with Phil Prokopowicz, a former chief deputy attorney from another county.
“The Winona County Attorney’s Office has brought on Mr. Prokopowicz in a consulting capacity, as they often do for cases that are potentially complex,” Department of Public Safety Bonne Bowman told Fox News Digital.
Law enforcement, loved ones, and community members have helped search for Kingsbury, but she has not been found so far.
Also this week, a judge held a hearing about Kingsbury’s two children. Fravel is seeking custody of the kids, but the judge ruled that they should remain in the care of Kingsbury’s dad, David, and stepmom, Cathy, for the time being.
Following the hearing, David told KARE11 of his daughter: “All she really wanted was to have a happy family.”
Winona County’s child welfare agency has alleged that in early April, Fravel had a violent standoff with social workers and police, at one point refusing to let authorities take custody of the children.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Kingsbury and Fravel were living together when she vanished, but their romantic relationship had ended and she was looking to move into a different residence.
Fravel has said previously that he had nothing to do with Kingsbury’s disappearance.
Kingsbury’s family continues to search for their beloved Maddie and keep hope alive that she will be found. They recently shared a video of her from last year playing and laughing with her children, according to Fox News Digital.
A $50,000 reward is being offered for information about Kingsbury’s whereabouts. She’s described as 5-foot-4 and around 145 pounds, with hazel eyes and brown hair.
Anyone with information should call the Winona Police Department at 507-457-6302. To submit tips anonymously, visit www.crimestoppersmn.org or call 1-800-222-8477.
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[Feature Photo: Madeline Kingsbury/Minnesota BCA]
