A 22-year-old man is behind bars after Florida authorities say he drove from North Carolina to meet a 12-year-old girl he had connected with online — and took her to a motel.
The girl was reported missing from her home in Osceola County on January 31 after telling her parents she would be spending the night at a friend’s house. According to a statement released Tuesday, Feb. 10, that was not the case.
Investigators allege the child had actually planned to meet Edar Fabricio Dejesus-Matheu, 22, whom she had been communicating with for months through a social media app.
Her parents became alarmed the next morning when she did not respond to calls or text messages and contacted 911.
As detectives searched for the missing pre-teen, they were able to track her cell phone to the parking lot of a hotel in a neighboring county. Authorities arrived on February 1 and found the girl inside a vehicle with Dejesus-Matheu. He was taken into custody at the scene.
According to police, Dejesus-Matheu had driven from North Carolina specifically to pick up the child and bring her to the motel.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office later said investigators uncovered evidence that Dejesus-Matheu allegedly engaged in lewd and lascivious molestation in Orange County. That portion of the investigation was turned over to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.
Dejesus-Matheu is currently facing charges in Osceola County for traveling to meet a minor for unlawful sexual activity and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. He was also booked into the Orange County Jail on additional charges of lewd or lascivious molestation of a minor.
Sheriff’s officials noted that the rescue of the 12-year-old happened on Safer Internet Day, a global initiative focused on promoting safe and responsible online behavior. Authorities said the case highlights the importance of parents closely monitoring their children’s digital activity, warning that predators often use social media platforms to groom young victims.
Dejesus-Matheu remains in custody in Orange County as he awaits further legal proceedings in Osceola County. As of Thursday, Feb. 12, it was unclear whether he had retained an attorney or entered pleas to the charges.
Authorities are asking anyone with additional information about the suspect or similar incidents to contact the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at (407) 348-2222.
Is he an illegal?
I am sure he would get to know the punishment for his deeds while in prison