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California Man Charged After Allegedly Kidnapping 10-Year-Old He Met on Gaming Platforms

The child, reported missing from Taft, was found safe within hours, prompting legal scrutiny of Roblox and Discord's safety measures.

The suspect was booked into Sacramento County Main Jail in Sacramento, Calif.
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Overview

  • A 10-year-old girl from Taft, California, was rescued within six hours of being reported missing after authorities discovered she had been communicating with 27-year-old Matthew Macatuno Naval through Roblox and Discord.
  • Naval was arrested in Elk Grove, California, over 250 miles from the girl's home, and charged with kidnapping and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. His bail is set at $250,000, with a court hearing scheduled for April 18.
  • Law enforcement credited the swift inter-agency collaboration between Kern County Sheriff's Office and Elk Grove Police Department for locating the child quickly and ensuring her safe return to her family.
  • The case has intensified legal actions against Roblox and Discord, with Florida's attorney general issuing a subpoena to Roblox and New Jersey's attorney general filing a lawsuit against Discord over alleged child safety failures.
  • Authorities have reiterated the importance of parental monitoring of children's online interactions, emphasizing the risks posed by messaging features on gaming and social platforms.