Missing Ohio Teen Found in Florida Through World of Warcraft Account

31-Year-Old Man Arrested, Case Sparks Discussion on Online Safety for Minors

A missing 16-year-old girl from Ohio was located in Florida with the help of her World of Warcraft account.
31-year-old Thomas Ebersole was arrested at the scene and taken into custody on charges of traveling to meet a minor to engage in sexual activity, interfering with child custody and sheltering an unmarried minor.
Ebersole allegedly admitted to having a 'romantic' relationship with the minor and had plans to keep her in secret and later make her his wife.
The case has sparked discussions on online safety for minors, with the messaging platform Discord being highlighted as a platform used by predators to groom children online.
Reports of 'Online Enticement of Children for Sexual Acts' have increased by 82% from 2021 to 2022, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.