Authorities say a Long Island, New York, teen may have left school and traveled into New York City to meet someone he connected with through Roblox, a detail that has intensified concern as the search for him stretches on.
Fifteen-year-old Thomas Medlin vanished on Friday, January 9, after leaving the Stony Brook School campus. Instead of heading home, investigators say Thomas walked toward a nearby Long Island Rail Road station and boarded a train bound for Manhattan shortly after dismissal.
Later that day, surveillance footage captured Thomas inside Grand Central Terminal around 5:30 p.m., according to Suffolk County Police. Images released by authorities show him wearing a backpack and carrying a large item while moving through a transit area. That sighting is the last confirmed location tied directly to him. In an update on Monday, January 26, authorities with Suffolk County Police said they’ve learned after “extensive video canvassing and review of digital evidence,” that Thomas was last seen on a pedestrian walkway on the Manhattan Bridge on January 9 at 7:06 p.m. However, he was “never seen leaving the bridge via path exits.” Police have not yet found evidence that he was meeting someone from Roblox.
Police have followed a series of earlier leads, placing activity near Cherry and Rutgers streets on the Lower East Side. Additional indicators later pointed toward the Sands and Jay Street area in Brooklyn. Even with those developments, Thomas has not contacted his family since the day he disappeared.
Thomas is described as 5 feet 4 inches and about 130 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black jacket with red accents, dark sweatpants with white striping, glasses, and a black backpack.
His mother, Eva Yan, said his actions are completely out of character and believes his trip into the city may have been motivated by an online connection.
“He has never left us,” Yan said.
His father, James Medlin, echoed that confusion, saying, “I just can’t believe why he left in the first place.”
Roblox confirmed it is cooperating with law enforcement, stating, “We are deeply troubled by this incident and are working with law enforcement to support their investigation.”
As winter weather approaches, Thomas’ family continues searching across Long Island and New York City, growing more worried about his safety.
“Everyone loves him,” Yan said. “We just want him to be safe.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad Detectives at 631-854-8452 or call 911.
