Her parents thought her chat settings were off. She was found 130 miles away, in another state, hours after being reported missing.
The Disappearance
An 11-year-old girl was reported missing at 6:45 a.m. on September 10 in Wayne, New Jersey. Police say she had been communicating with 27-year-old Darius Matylewich, of Delaware, through multiple online gaming platforms, including Roblox, before he transported her roughly 130 miles to Bear, Delaware, without her parents' knowledge or consent.
A Quick Recovery
The Wayne Police Department located the girl in Delaware the same day she was reported missing. Matylewich was arrested that day as well.
Charges
The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office charged Matylewich with first-degree kidnapping and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, offenses that could carry up to 30 years in prison if he is convicted. He was extradited to New Jersey and held at Bergen County Jail.
A Wake-Up Call for Parents
The case prompted renewed warnings from local police and parents in the Wayne community about children's exposure to strangers through chat features in online games, with some parents describing efforts to monitor game chat settings that nonetheless didn't fully prevent contact.
FAQ
Was the girl found safely?
Yes. She was located in Delaware the same day she was reported missing.
What charges does Darius Matylewich face?
First-degree kidnapping and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
How did the man make contact with the girl?
Through online gaming platforms, including Roblox.