A 10-year-old child from Taft, California, who was reported missing on a Saturday night, was found the following day in Elk Grove, more than 250 miles away. According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the child had been abducted by 27-year-old Matthew Macatuno Naval. Authorities revealed that the abduction followed online communications between the child and Naval through the gaming platform Roblox and the messaging app Discord.
Suspect Tracked Through Online Clues, Arrested and Charged in Child Kidnapping Case
Detectives tracked the suspect through the digital trail left on the child’s online communications. Naval, believed to reside in Elk Grove, was located at a strip mall with the missing child, thanks to cooperation between Elk Grove Police, the Sacramento media, and Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Naval was immediately arrested and charged with kidnapping and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Child Abducted After Roblox and Discord Chats Found Safe as Digital Trail Leads to ArrestThe child was taken into protective custody and later returned safely to family. Naval was booked into Sacramento County Main Jail and subsequently transferred to Kern County. Legal proceedings are underway, with a complaint expected to be formally filed. It remains unclear whether Naval has obtained legal representation.
States Push for Stronger Online Protections Following Child Safety Concerns on Gaming Platforms
This case has amplified ongoing concerns regarding child safety on popular digital platforms. In response to growing national scrutiny, states like Florida and New Jersey are taking legal action against companies such as Roblox and Discord. Florida’s Attorney General has subpoenaed Roblox over its child safety policies, while New Jersey has filed a lawsuit against Discord for allegedly misleading users about its safety measures.
In the aftermath of the incident, Kern County authorities stressed the critical importance of monitoring children’s online activity. They reminded parents that many gaming apps now feature messaging capabilities, which can pose similar dangers to those found on social media platforms. Law enforcement emphasized that staying informed and proactive is key to preventing future incidents like this one.