At a Glance
- 18-year-old Jahmez Cartwright disappeared Jan. 12 after leaving for school and never arriving
- His phone pinged 2,400 miles away in San Diego the next day, though he has no ID or money
- Family fears he was lured by an older man through Roblox, citing his intellectual disability
- Why it matters: The case highlights how online gaming platforms can be exploited to target vulnerable teens
An 18-year-old Philadelphia teen with an intellectual disability has been missing for three days after his phone pinged across the country in San Diego, with evidence suggesting he may have been lured away by an older man he met through the popular gaming platform Roblox.
Last Seen Heading to School
Jahmez Cartwright vanished Monday morning after leaving his home on the 6500 block of Linmore Avenue at 7 a.m., according to the Philadelphia Police Department. The teen never made it to school or returned home, triggering an urgent search that has now expanded nationwide.
Cartwright’s mother, LaShante Crocker, expressed disbelief at how her son could have traveled so far. “How did he get there? He don’t have ID. Did someone take him?” she told ABC affiliate WPVI.
His cousin, Aisha Green, emphasized his vulnerability: “He has never been outside” Philadelphia and “has no income,” NBC affiliate WCAU reported.
Digital Trail Leads to San Diego
The investigation took a startling turn when Cartwright’s phone pinged in San Diego on Tuesday, January 13 – just one day after his disappearance. The location is approximately 2,400 miles from his Philadelphia home.
The Black and Missing Foundation (BAMFI), a nonprofit organization assisting with the search, revealed that “evidence suggests that Jahmez may have had contact with an older man through Roblox and may have been lured online.”
Family members believe Cartwright’s intellectual disability makes him particularly susceptible to manipulation. The foundation has been working to bring awareness to cases involving missing people of color while providing tools to help locate them.
Gaming Platform Responds
Roblox Corporation issued a statement to News Of Los Angeles expressing concern about the situation: “We are troubled by this report and promptly contacted law enforcement to offer assistance.”
The company emphasized its safety measures, stating their “platform is built with safety at its core, including robust policies to help protect users that go beyond many other platforms.” They highlighted features including filters designed to block personal information sharing and restrictions on user-to-user image or video sharing.
“While no system is perfect, our commitment to safety never ends, and we continue to evolve and strengthen our protections every day,” the statement continued. “Given this involves an ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further at this time.”
Family Pleads for Safe Return
Green delivered an emotional message to anyone who might be holding Cartwright: “If there is someone who has our cousin holding him without will, we won’t stop. You know, we miss him. He belongs to us, not you.”
The family describes Cartwright as 5-foot-7 and approximately 120 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. When last seen, he was wearing black jeans, white Rick Owens shoes, and a black coat.
Search Efforts Continue
Authorities are asking anyone with information about Cartwright’s whereabouts to contact:
- Southwest Detectives: 215-686-3183
- Black and Missing Foundation: 877-972-2634
The investigation remains active as law enforcement works to determine how Cartwright traveled from Philadelphia to San Diego and whether he is still in the California area.
Key Takeaways:
- An 18-year-old with intellectual disabilities disappeared Monday morning
- His phone was tracked to San Diego the next day, 2,400 miles from home
- Evidence suggests contact with an older man through Roblox gaming platform
- Family fears he was lured away due to his vulnerability
- Multiple agencies are coordinating search efforts across state lines
