At a Glance
- Nicholas Wieber, 28, allegedly kidnapped an 11-year-old girl he met on Discord
- Police found the child undressed in his bed after a 24-hour search
- Wieber faces 25 years to life if convicted on the top kidnapping count
- Why it matters: The case highlights how predators exploit gaming platforms popular with children
A Bay Shore, New York man allegedly kidnapped an 11-year-old girl he met on Discord, with prosecutors saying police later found the child undressed in his bed.
The Alleged Kidnapping
Nicholas Wieber, 28, was arraigned January 9 on charges including first-degree felony kidnapping, second-degree felony kidnapping, and misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Court records show Wieber has pleaded not guilty. News Of Losangeles has reached out to his defense attorney for comment.
Prosecutors said the communication between Wieber and the child began on Discord in December 2025. Discord is a free communication application commonly used by children for playing games.
“His messages allegedly quickly became sexual in nature,” the release states.
The Search and Discovery
The incident unfolded on December 12, 2025, when the child’s mother realized her daughter was not on the bus as expected at a Queens bus stop. After calling friends about her daughter’s location, the mother was told the girl left with an older man.
The mother then called New York State Police. Officers began a search with help from the Suffolk County Police Department after the investigation led to Wieber’s address in Bay Shore on December 13, 2025.
Suffolk police responded to Wieber’s home, where the child was allegedly found “in a state of undress in Wieber’s bed,” according to the release. Wieber was arrested at the scene, and the child was reunited with her family.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Penalties
According to the indictment obtained by News Of Losangeles, prosecutors allege that Wieber abducted the girl and “restrained her for more than twelve hours with the intent to sexually abuse her.”
District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney thanked investigating authorities for their “vigilance, skill, and determination,” which “ensured the child was found safely and returned to her parents without delay.”
A judge ordered Wieber held on $250,000 cash or $500,000 bond as the case is pending. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 17. Prosecutors said he faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count.
Platform Safety Concerns
The case raises questions about child safety on gaming platforms. Discord, while popular among young gamers for its voice and text chat features, has faced scrutiny over how predators might exploit these communication tools.
The platform allows users to create or join servers based around specific games or interests, potentially enabling inappropriate contact between adults and minors.
Support Resources
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
