The teenager managed to phone for help three times.
Thousands of Romanians took to the streets of the capital Bucharest this weekend to protest at the police’s handling of a case in which a 15-year-old girl was raped and murdered.
15-year-old Alexandra Macesanu, was abducted on Wednesday, but managed to make three calls and give officers details about where she was being held.
Despite the teenager making the calls to them, authorities waited 19 hours before attempting to rescue her – a delay which some Romanians believe cost the teenager’s life.
According to police chief Ioan Buda, who has now been sacked from his position, Alexandra yelled “he’s coming, he’s coming”, before the call disconnected.
Police say they initially had difficulty tracking the location she called from and then waited for a search warrant – which isn’t legally required in an emergency – and then finally entered the house 19 hours after the phone calls were made.
Police found human remains and jewellery the girl wore at a house, and have detained a 65-year-old man for questioning.
Gheorghe Dinca, 65, who works as a mechanic, has been detained over the deaths of Alexandra Macesanu who was last seen earlier this week
Hundreds of people gathered outside the suspect’s house in the town of Caracal to protest on Friday.
The case has prompted the prime minister, Viorica Dancila, to consider increasing penalties for such crimes.
“I have decided to dismiss the chief of the police and the head of the Olt department because this situation necessitates extreme measures,” the Interior minister, Nicolae Moga, said late on Friday.
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