Matthew Naval, 27, was arrested after allegedly kidnapping a 10-year-old girl from Kern County whom he met on Roblox. Found over 250 miles away with the girl and her pet bird, Naval denied any wrongdoing, claiming she misrepresented her age. The case highlights alarming issues regarding online interactions, child safety, and mental health as Naval's defense indicates potential autism. Preceding her disappearance, the girl posted a TikTok video indicating a troubling attitude towards kidnapping and premonitions about her situation, raising questions about the dynamics of their interaction.
"I think it would be best if I don't know how old she is," the deputy's report states, highlighting Naval's disturbing awareness of the girl's true age.
The day before she went missing, the girl posted a TikTok with the caption, 'First time getting kidnapped, lmao,' suggesting troubling precursors to her abduction.
Naval admitted to a deputy that initially he thought the girl was maybe 17, illustrating a troubling ambiguity about her age in his defense.
The victim expressed a desire to return home but felt unable to communicate this to Naval, showcasing complexities surrounding her experience.
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