By Zoila Palma: A 24-year-old Alabama man has been arrested after allegedly coercing a teenage girl he met on the online gaming platform Roblox into sending nude photos and encouraging her to take her own life, authorities said.
Investigators claim the suspect later became abusive and pressured the girl into self-harm after moving their conversations off the popular children’s game.
According to the New York Post, Landen Westfall was taken into custody at his home in Athens, Alabama on Feb. 9 following a four-month investigation by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.
He faces more than 260 charges of indecent behavior with a child and is also accused of criminal assistance to suicide and pornography involving a juvenile. Authorities said the case is expected to result in federal charges as well.
According to investigators, Westfall initially communicated with the Louisiana teen through online chats on Roblox before shifting their conversations to other platforms.
The sheriff’s office alleges that during subsequent video chats, Westfall became verbally abusive and threatening, coerced the teen into cutting herself, and encouraged her to take her own life on two separate occasions.
Sheriff Craig Webre warned parents about the dangers of online predators exploiting platforms designed for children.
Last November, Roblox announced new age-verification measures for its 151 million users, including restricting chat functions for children under 9 unless parental consent is provided following an age check.