- October 30, 2024
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By: Brittany Kershaw
Public Affairs Manager, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind parents to monitor their child’s online activity after a concerned parent reported finding messages between a 39-year-old man and an 11-year-old girl. The messages appeared to reference a plan for the man to travel to Florida from North Carolina, pick the girl up, and transport her back to North Carolina to live with him.
The FCSO Major Case detectives worked quickly to identify and contact the male. North Carolina authorities and FCSO investigators determined the man was still in North Carolina and there was no immediate risk to the child. The investigation is ongoing to determine any applicable criminal charges.
The conversation between the two began in an online gaming phone application call “Wildcraft.” This led to direct communication between the two as well as several other children who played the game.
Deputies have made all other parents aware of their children’s online activity, as the investigation uncovered it.
“Parents, this highlights the importance of monitoring your children’s online and cell phone communication on a routine and daily basis,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “Technology is continually evolving and predators are adept at using the evolving technology to target and manipulate children. If parents are allowing their children to have access to the internet or mobile devices, they must talk with their children about the dangers involved and take the time to monitor their children’s activity. It is necessary to keep them safe. Be proactive in your child’s life. Using monitoring apps and talking to your children may save them from being a victim.”
Flagler Schools Superintendent James Tager added: “We appreciate the quick work of the Flagler County Sheriff’s detectives. We also want to stress the important role parents must play when it comes to their children’s online activity.”
Although parents should monitor all online activities, below is a list of known applications that parent’s should be familiar with. There are many monitoring applications available for parents to track their child’s online activity. Check out Bark, Net Nanny, Securly, and more offered in the App Store and on Google Play.
