Teenager Vanishes After Secret Train Journey to Meet Online Gaming Contact
A 15-year-old boy has been missing for two weeks after he secretly boarded a train to meet a stranger he encountered through the popular online gaming platform, Roblox. Thomas Medlin, from St James on Long Island, disappeared on January 9 after leaving school and heading to Manhattan, according to authorities.
Disappearance Details and Last Known Movements
The Suffolk County Police Department reports that Medlin left school at 3:30 pm on Friday, January 9, and ran to the Stony Brook Long Island Rail Road station. He was last captured on surveillance footage at Grand Central Station in Manhattan at approximately 5:30 pm that same evening. His family confirmed they have had no contact with him since his disappearance.
Thomas Medlin is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing around 130 pounds. When last seen, he was wearing glasses, a striped jacket, a gray Under Armour shirt, and carrying a black backpack. Police have released this description and accompanying images to aid public recognition.
Family's Anguish and Uncharacteristic Behaviour
The teenager's parents have expressed profound distress and confusion over his actions, which they describe as entirely out of character. "He has never left us," his mother, Eva Yan, told News12. "This behavior is extremely unusual for him."
His father, James Medlin, struggled with emotion while speaking to reporters. "I just can’t believe why he left in the first place," he said, holding back tears. The family emphasised that Thomas excels academically and has received multiple awards for his achievements in music, arts, and sports.
Expanding Search Efforts and Potential Sightings
Search operations have been coordinated across Long Island and New York City, involving both law enforcement and organised volunteer parties comprising friends and family members. Medlin's location was initially traced to the Lower Manhattan area near Cherry and Rutgers Streets. More recently, his mother reported a potential sighting on surveillance video in Brooklyn, though this has not led to his recovery.
The search has taken on increased urgency due to severe winter weather conditions affecting the region. "We just want him to be safe," his mother stated, noting that police have been checking local homeless shelters amid the harsh weather.
Roblox's Response and Online Safety Protocols
In a statement to the Daily Mail, a spokesperson for Roblox confirmed the company is cooperating fully with law enforcement agencies investigating the disappearance. "We are deeply troubled by this incident and are working with law enforcement to support their investigation," the representative said.
The company highlighted its safety measures, stating: "Roblox is built with safety at its core, including robust policies to help protect users that go beyond many other platforms. We have filters designed to block the sharing of personal information and don’t allow user-to-user image or video sharing." An internal investigation by Roblox has reportedly not uncovered any suspicious activity directly linked to Medlin's disappearance.
As the search enters its third week, authorities continue to appeal for any information from the public that might help locate the missing teenager.
