15-Year-Old Thomas Medlin Missing in New York City; Family Concerned Over Online Meeting
New York City authorities and a Long Island family are searching for 15-year-old Thomas Medlin, who disappeared two weeks ago. Medlin was last seen on Friday, January 9, around 5:30 p.m. at Grand Central Station in Manhattan. Earlier that day, he left Stony Brook School and took a train from Long Island to the city, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.
Medlin’s parents say his sudden trip to New York was completely out of character. Eva Yan, Thomas’s mother, shared in interviews that her son was well-behaved and had never acted without family permission. A friend of Medlin’s suggested checking his Roblox account, raising concerns that he may have gone to meet someone he connected with online.
While initial speculation focused on online gaming, Suffolk County police clarified on January 28 that they do not believe his disappearance is directly linked to social media or online gaming. Authorities have conducted forensic examinations of Medlin’s devices and reviewed multiple online profiles under subpoenas and search warrants.
Roblox, the gaming platform with nearly 83 million daily users, said it is “deeply troubled by this incident” and is “working with law enforcement to support their investigation.” The company emphasized its safety policies, including filters to block personal information and restrictions on image and video sharing, while acknowledging that no system is foolproof.
Medlin’s mother urged her son to return safely, saying, “I just want him to know we love him deeply, and he’s not in trouble at all. We just want him to tell us he’s safe.”
Anyone with information about Thomas Medlin’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Suffolk County Police Department.
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