Introduction to the Case
Several families in Florida and across the country are taking legal action against the popular online gaming platform Roblox, alleging it has become a hunting ground for child sex predators and that the company has failed to adequately warn the public about dangers to young users.
The Incident
One of those lawsuits was filed by a Miami-Dade County family whose 11-year-old daughter was sexually abused by a man she met through the platform. NBC6 Investigates reviewed court records and law enforcement interviews that detail the disturbing case. In 2022, detectives in Highlands County, Florida, interviewed 19-year-old Anthony Borgesano, who admitted to having sexual contact with a girl he described as “obviously younger” than him.
“I met her on a game,” Borgesano told investigators, adding he met the child while playing Roblox.
Movement to Discord
According to a complaint filed on behalf of the girl’s family, she believed she was communicating with a 15-year-old boy. The suit states their conversations eventually moved from Roblox to the chat platform Discord, where they began exchanging photos and videos. Discord is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit. “This had moved on to an outside communication platform called Discord, where you can share more information and pictures,” said Stan Gipe, the attorney representing the victim’s family (they are not speaking publicly to protect their daughter’s identity).
The Assault
Borgesano told investigators he later met the girl in person twice while she was visiting her grandfather’s home in Sebring. During one of those meetings, Gipe says, a sexual assault occurred that “changed this little girl’s life forever.” According to a police report, the girl’s family realized she was missing and tracked her phone to a nearby parking lot, where they saw her inside Borgesano’s car. When they confronted him, the lawsuit states Borgesano sped off, leading the family on a chase before he eventually stopped to let the girl get out of the car. “I was scared, honestly, so I drove,” Borgesano later told detectives in an interview. “I wanted to let her get out — I didn’t want to keep her in the car and have this whole chase happen.”
Arrest and Charges
Deputies later arrested Borgesano, who was charged with multiple sex crimes. He ultimately pleaded no contest to lewd or lascivious molestation of a child and other related charges. He is now serving a 25-year prison sentence.
Reaction from Roblox and Discord
The family’s lawsuit, which is pending, accuses Roblox and Discord of marketing their platforms as safe for children while failing to adequately protect young users. “They represent that this is a safe place to leave your kid, that we’ve got all of this great technology that filters messages and will keep your kids safe,” Gipe said.
In a statement to NBC6 Investigators, a Roblox spokesperson said: "We are deeply troubled by any incident that endangers our users. While we cannot comment on claims raised in litigation, Roblox’s vision is to be the safest place on the internet, which is why our policies are purposely stricter than those found on many other platforms. We limit chat for younger users, don’t allow the sharing of external images and have filters designed to block the sharing of personal information. We are continually innovating and investing in safety. While no system is perfect, this year alone we have made over 100 safety enhancements to help protect our users and empower parents and caregivers with greater control and visibility.
A spokesperson for Discord declined to comment on the lawsuit but said in a statement: "Discord is deeply committed to safety and we require all users to be at least 13 to use our platform. We use a combination of advanced technology and trained safety teams to proactively find and remove content that violates our policies. We maintain strong systems to prevent the spread of sexual exploitation and grooming on our platform and also work with other technology companies and safety organizations to improve online safety across the internet."
Conclusion
Gipe says his clients hope their story serves as a warning to other parents. “They were shocked to find out this kind of stuff goes on,” Gipe said. “Their message to the public is — be vigilant.” This case highlights the importance of parental vigilance and the need for online platforms to prioritize user safety, especially for children.
FAQs
- Q: What is the lawsuit about?
A: The lawsuit alleges that Roblox and Discord failed to protect an 11-year-old girl from a predator she met on their platforms. - Q: What happened to the girl?
A: The girl was sexually abused by a 19-year-old man she met on Roblox, who later communicated with her on Discord. - Q: What are Roblox and Discord doing about the issue?
A: Both companies have stated their commitment to safety, with Roblox detailing its safety measures and Discord outlining its policies and technologies to prevent abuse. - Q: What is the outcome of the case against the predator?
A: The predator, Anthony Borgesano, pleaded no contest to lewd or lascivious molestation of a child and other related charges and is serving a 25-year prison sentence.
