Two Martin County girls were rescued hundreds of miles away in Georgia after being kidnapped by a man they met online through the popular gaming platform Roblox, according to deputies.
“The communication initially started, we believe, in the summer of 2025 on a gaming app called Roblox,” Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said Monday. “And from that gaming app, these girls were then moved from Roblox over to Snapchat.”
Safety expert: Gaming apps can be gateways for predators
The switch from the gaming app to another platform is a warning sign, according to child safety experts. Sarah Marie Henry, executive director of Catch the Wave of Hope, said predators often use this tactic to gain more access to children.
“Gone are the days where the creepy guy is waiting at the mall or the park. That still happens, but it’s become so much easier for predators to be waiting online for these kids,” Henry said…