At a Glance
- 18-year-old Jahmez Cartwright vanished 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 an older man he met on Roblox manipulated the intellectually-disabled teen to travel
- Why it matters: The case highlights how gaming platforms can be exploited to target vulnerable youth
An 18-year-old Philadelphia student with an intellectual disability disappeared Monday morning, and investigators believe he may have been lured across the country by someone he met on the online game Roblox.
Jahmez Cartwright left his home on the 6500 block of Linmore Avenue at 7 a.m. on Jan. 12, heading to school. He never arrived and never returned home, according to the Philadelphia Police Department bulletin shared with News Of Los Angeles.
Phone Pings 2,400 Miles Away
Cartwright’s phone signaled its location in San Diego on Tuesday, Jan. 13-one day after he was reported missing. The teen does not possess identification and has no source of income, leaving his family desperate for answers.
“How did he get there? He don’t have ID. Did someone take him?” his mother, LaShante Crocker, asked ABC affiliate WPVI.
The Black and Missing Foundation (BAMFI), a nonprofit that assists families of color searching for missing relatives, is aiding the investigation. BAMFI’s review of digital evidence indicates Cartwright had been communicating with an older man through Roblox.
Gaming Platform Becomes Predator’s Tool
BAMFI stated that evidence “suggests that Jahmez may have had contact with an older man through Roblox and may have been lured online.” Cartwright’s intellectual disability, family members say, makes him especially susceptible to manipulation.
Cousin Aisha Green told NBC affiliate WCAU that Cartwright “has never been outside” Philadelphia and “has no income.”
“If there is someone who has our cousin holding him without will, we won’t stop,” Green said. “You know, we miss him. He belongs to us, not you.”
Roblox Responds
Roblox Corporation, contacted by News Of Los Angeles, said it is “troubled by this report and promptly contacted law enforcement to offer assistance.”
The company emphasized safety features built into the platform, including:
- Filters that block users from sharing personal information
- A ban on user-to-user image or video sharing
- Continuous updates to strengthen protections
“While no system is perfect, our commitment to safety never ends, and we continue to evolve and strengthen our protections every day,” the statement read. “Given this involves an ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further at this time.”
Description and Contact Information
Cartwright is described as 5-foot-7, approximately 120 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing black jeans, white Rick Owens shoes, and a black coat.
Anyone with information is urged to contact:
- Southwest Detectives: 215-686-3183
- BAMFI hotline: 877-972-2634
Key Takeaways
- Cartwright’s disappearance underscores risks for intellectually-disabled teens online
- His sudden cross-country movement without ID or money raises trafficking concerns
- Roblox cooperated with law enforcement but faces scrutiny over platform safety
- Family vows to keep searching until Cartwright is found
