Fifteen-year-old Thomas Medlin went missing on Jan. 9 after leaving Stony Brook School and taking a train into Manhattan. He was last seen at Grand Central Terminal around 5:30 p.m., wearing a black jacket with red stripes, dark sweatpants and glasses. Family members believe he may have been heading to meet someone he met on Roblox; the platform is cooperating with investigators. Search teams are canvassing Long Island and New York City amid concerns about incoming winter weather.
15-Year-Old Thomas Medlin Missing Two Weeks After Traveling to NYC — Family Fears He Went To Meet Someone From Roblox
Suffolk County Police DepartmentThomas Medlin
Fifteen-year-old Thomas Medlin of St. James, N.Y., has been missing since Jan. 9 after leaving Stony Brook School and traveling into Manhattan, Suffolk County police and the family say. The boy’s family believes he may have been going to meet someone he met on the online game platform Roblox, and volunteers and investigators have continued searching amid concerns about approaching winter weather.
What Happened
According to a Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) release, Thomas left Stony Brook School at about 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, and ran to the Stony Brook Long Island Rail Road station. Investigators say he appeared to board a train bound for Manhattan and was last seen at Grand Central Terminal at around 5:30 p.m. that afternoon.
An SCPD photo shows Thomas carrying a backpack and holding a large object while walking on what appears to be a New York City subway platform.
Suffolk County Police DepartmentThomas Medlin
Description
Thomas is described as 5'4" and approximately 130 pounds. When last seen he was wearing a black jacket with red stripes, dark sweatpants with white stripes, a black backpack and glasses.
Investigative Leads And Family Efforts
Family members told local media that investigators later traced the teen’s phone or movements to areas near Cherry and Rutgers Streets in Lower Manhattan and to Sands and Jay Street in Brooklyn. The family has not heard from Thomas since he left school that afternoon.
"He has never left us," Thomas’ mother, Eva Yan, said through tears in a recent interview. His father, James Medlin, said he cannot understand why Thomas would leave and urged anyone with information to come forward.
Relatives and volunteers have organized daily search parties across Long Island and Manhattan. Searchers have been checking homeless shelters and other locations where a young person might be, and the family has voiced particular concern about Thomas’ safety as extreme winter weather approaches.
Suffolk County Police DepartmentThomas Medlin
Online Connection
The family believes Thomas may have traveled to New York City to meet someone he had met on Roblox. The platform has said it is cooperating with law enforcement inquiries.
How You Can Help
The Suffolk County Police Department asks anyone with information about Thomas’ whereabouts to contact Fourth Squad Detectives at 631-854-8452 or call 911. Even small details — a sighting, a message, or electronic activity — could help investigators.
Information in this article is drawn from statements released by the Suffolk County Police Department and interviews with the family. Authorities and the platform involved have been approached for additional comment.
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