Girlene,
That is Freedom Way, 24 changes names frequently evidently ;)
If you look at the map, Camp Lejeune with the exit ramps, that is the main gate, her cell was found right outside that somewhere.
Another awesome pic. Yes her cell phone was found along the road, NC 24, near Camp Lejeune main gate, by a stranded motorist. The stranded motorist used it to call for help probably. But they also called Maria’s sister (whose number was likely stored). It was Maria’s sister who told the stranded motorist to turn the phone in to the police.
So I would guess someone threw it out of a car while driving. Maria would not have thrown her cell phone out being that far along in her pregnancy or if she was planning on leaving town. Now was it thrown out during an abduction, tossed to get rid of any trace, planted as a false clue? It makes no sense to plant it there; the murderer would have thrown it in a trash bin somewhere. I think it was tossed during some form of forced abduction/disagreement with whoever was in a car with her.
The ATM, Maria’s house, the Christmas party at Camp Lejeune, and the tossed cell phone are within very close proximity to each other. Would a cell phone keep it’s charge from Dec. 14 through Dec. 20 if it was not used in between?
By the way for some great NC barbecue/chicken/shrimp check out Smithfields BBQ on Western Blvd. It's on your left going from NC 24 toward US 17. :-)