A 15-year-old boy from New York named Thomas Medlin has been missing for over two weeks. His family says he left home to meet someone he knew from the game Roblox. This scary story shows why kids need to be careful online.
What Happened to Thomas?
Thomas Medlin lives in St. James on Long Island, New York. On January 9, 2026, he left Stony Brook School around 3:30 p.m. He ran to the Stony Brook train station and took a train to Grand Central Station in New York City.
Police say he was last seen at Grand Central around 5:30 p.m. that day. A surveillance photo shows him on a subway platform with a backpack and a big object in his hands. He is 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighs about 130 pounds, and wears glasses.
Later, his phone was found near Cherry and Rutgers Streets in Lower Manhattan. Cameras also spotted him near Sands and Jay Streets in Brooklyn. But after that, no one knows where he went.
Why Did He Leave? Family Speaks Out
Thomas’s mom, Eva Yan, says she thinks he went to meet someone from Roblox. “He has never left our side,” she told reporters through tears. His dad, James Medlin, said, “I just can’t believe why he left in the first place.”
This is not like Thomas at all, his family says. They had no idea he planned to go. Now, they worry about him with cold weather hitting New York.
Friends and family started search groups in Long Island and New York City. They check homeless shelters and walk the streets every day. “Everyone loves him,” his mom said. “We just want him to be safe.”
What Roblox Says About Safety
Roblox told news outlets they are “deeply troubled” by this. They are helping police with the case. The game has safety tools like chat filters that block personal info and no sharing of photos or videos between users.
Parents can turn off chat completely. Roblox says they keep making safety better, but no online place is perfect. They can’t say more because it’s an open police case.
Police Ask for Help
Suffolk County Police want tips. Call Fourth Squad Detectives at 631-854-8452 or 911 if you see Thomas. He was last wearing a black jacket with red stripes, dark sweatpants with white stripes, and a black backpack.
Share his picture if you can. The family hopes he comes home soon.
Stay Safe on Roblox and Online Games
Stories like Thomas Medlin’s missing after traveling to meet someone from Roblox remind us to talk to kids about online friends. Never meet people you only know from games without telling parents.
Use parent controls on apps. Watch what kids share, like names or where they live. Tell an adult if something feels wrong online. Safety first keeps everyone happy and safe.
