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.