A 10-year-old girl from Central California was rescued after allegedly being kidnapped by a man she met through popular online platforms, highlighting growing fears over children’s digital safety.
At a Glance
- Girl, 10, Allegedly Abducted by Online Contact
- Found Safe in Car Near Elk Grove Strip Mall
- Suspect Met Her via Roblox and Discord
- Man Faces Charges Including Kidnapping
- Police Urge Parental Vigilance Online
A Dangerous Digital Encounter
A seemingly innocent interaction through gaming and messaging apps turned into a harrowing experience for a 10-year-old girl from Taft, California. She was allegedly lured and abducted by 27-year-old Matthew Macatuno Naval, whom she had met through Roblox and Discord. Authorities located the girl the next day—April 13—inside a car parked near a strip mall in Elk Grove, roughly 275 miles from her home.
Naval now faces charges of kidnapping and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, as reported by The Epoch Times.
Watch KCRA News’s report on the incident at this video.
How Friends Helped Crack the Case
The girl’s friends were instrumental in alerting law enforcement. Concerned about her sudden disappearance, they notified the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, helping investigators track the suspect across counties. That alertness allowed officers to act swiftly and recover the child within 24 hours of her being reported missing.
According to WCJB News, authorities found both the suspect and the girl in Naval’s vehicle and immediately took him into custody. He is currently held without bail and awaits extradition back to Kern County.
Sheriff’s Office Praises the Public
Officials commended the community’s rapid response in spreading alerts that helped recover the child. “We would like to thank the communities of Kern and Elk Grove for their assistance in sharing the message to help locate the juvenile,” said the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, in a statement shared by People.
This case has reignited warnings about digital interactions, especially through platforms typically perceived as harmless. Many parents might not realize that games like Roblox and messaging services on Discord can expose children to adult strangers under the guise of gaming.
A Broader Problem
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported that 59% of children involved in online enticement cases in 2024 were 15 years old or younger, underscoring the widespread nature of this threat. As noted by The Epoch Times, this statistic reflects a pressing need for active parental oversight of digital interactions.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office added an urgent message: “Parents, monitor all electronic usage and know who your children are communicating with.” They emphasized that many games now feature chat capabilities, often overlooked by guardians, yet just as risky as traditional social media.
Crisis Resources and Final Takeaways
Naval’s arrest closed a terrifying chapter for one family—but it opened a broader conversation for many others. While no attorney has yet been named for Naval, officials stress that preventing similar cases will require both parental diligence and stronger safeguards across digital platforms.
For families navigating online risks, help is available. The Crisis Text Line operates 24/7—text “STRENGTH” to 741-741 to connect with support.
