Bear, Delaware Man Arrested for Allegedly Kidnapping 11-Year-Old Girl from New Jersey through Online Game
A Bear, Delaware man has been taken into custody after allegedly kidnapping an 11-year-old girl from New Jersey through the popular online video game Roblox, according to authorities. The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Darius Matylewich, now faces serious charges including first-degree kidnapping and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
The incident unfolded when the Wayne Police Department received reports of a missing 11-year-old girl near Old Turnpike Road and U.S. Route 46 on September 10, 2023. The investigation revealed that Matylewich had allegedly met the victim on Roblox before discreetly transporting her from Wayne to Bear, Delaware without the knowledge or consent of her parents.
Fortunately, the young girl was located in Bear, Delaware, approximately 140 miles away from her home. Law enforcement officers promptly arrested Matylewich near Berwick Lane and Perth Street in Bear, Delaware. Subsequently, he was extradited to New Jersey and has since remained in custody.
While the company behind Roblox stated that an internal investigation found no evidence of Matylewich and the victim meeting on their platform, they expressed their commitment to user safety and assured cooperation with law enforcement officials. Roblox takes the issue of grooming seriously and has implemented several measures to keep users, especially children, safe. This includes employing thousands of moderators who actively monitor and enforce community standards, with a stringent zero-tolerance policy for any form of sexual content. The platform also offers chat filters to block inappropriate communication and enables parents to limit or disable chat features.
If convicted of the kidnapping charge, Matylewich could face a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in prison, with the requirement that 85% of the term be completed before becoming eligible for parole. On the count of endangering the welfare of a child, he may be sentenced to 3-5 years behind bars, if found guilty.
Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office encourages anyone with further information regarding this incident or other potentially related incidents involving Matylewich to contact them at 877-370-PCPO.
Roblox, an online platform with an average of 65.6 million users per day, remains committed to providing a safe environment for its users. They continue to work diligently to prevent grooming and maintain community standards. Although this incident occurred outside of Roblox’s platform, they emphasize their dedication to assisting in any way possible.
In conclusion, the arrest of the Bear, Delaware man involved in the alleged kidnapping of an 11-year-old girl from New Jersey through an online game has highlighted the importance of safeguarding children while they engage in virtual communities. Authorities are actively investigating the incident, and Roblox is committed to supporting the investigation and ensuring the safety of its youngest users.
