The family of a missing teenager from Long Island is reaching out to the community for help in locating their son, who vanished two weeks ago after leaving school. They suspect he may have left home to meet someone he interacted with online through a game.
According to a report, 15-year-old Thomas Medlin from St. James has been unaccounted for since January 9, 2026. His family is desperately seeking help to have him return safely. Police reports indicate he was last seen leaving school and then catching a train at the Stony Brook-Long Island Railroad station.
Authorities traced his movements to Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan, where he was recorded on surveillance footage on the day he went missing. Medlin’s family has not had any contact with him since that day, which has left them deeply worried.
In a conversation with a local news outlet, Thomas’s mother, Eva, shared more about the situation. She noted that investigators now believe he might have potentially met someone online via the gaming platform, perhaps planning to meet this person in New York City. Eva emphasized that such behavior isn’t typical for her son; it’s very out of character for him.
Since his disappearance, Thomas’s family and friends have been on an extensive search, organizing frequent search parties across Long Island and New York City. Eva expressed their commitment to finding him and bringing him home safely.
Law enforcement has provided insights into Thomas’s last known locations. According to police tracking, he was last seen near the intersection of Cherry and Rutgers streets in lower Manhattan and later near Sands Street and Jay Street in Brooklyn.
Suffolk County Police are actively involved in the investigation and are appealing for public assistance in locating Thomas. They’ve released a photograph to aid in identifying him and are encouraging anyone who might have seen him to reach out with any information.
Regarding online safety, various lawsuits have been initiated against state authorities over failures to protect children on digital platforms. Recently, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Scumetti criticized the gaming platform, alleging it places profits over the safety of children.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Scumetti announced a lawsuit claiming Roblox has neglected child safety for profit. This lawsuit, filed under the state’s Consumer Protection Act, asserts that Roblox misled residents about the dangers its platform poses to kids.
“Roblox is like a creepy van lurking near a playground,” he articulated. “It invites children into a seemingly enjoyable online environment, but it could serve as a trap for those susceptible to predators,” he added, discussing how the company prioritized profit over safety despite frequent warnings.
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