KCOY Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo - News-Dangers of Internet Become Scary Reality for Local Family

Dangers of Internet Become Scary Reality for Local Family

12/9/09

SAN LUIS OBISPO -- The potential dangers of the Internet became a scary reality for one Central Coast family.

A 52-year-old man from Michigan is under arrest, after police found him with a 16-year-old girl who had runaway from her home in San Luis Obispo.

Detectives say the pair met online.

"In this case, our concern is obviously with the 16-year-old," said Capt. Ian Parkinson, San Luis Obispo Police Department.

Your Central Coast News has blurred any photographs of the girl to protect her identity since she is a minor and possible victim of a crime.

The 16-year-old was reported missing Monday after police say she ran away from home.

Two days later, on Wednesday afternoon, officers found her walking along Shell Beach Road with the man she met on the Internet. His name is Bradford Mitchell.

"We determined this morning that she had in fact stayed a local hotel with this man," said Capt. Parkinson.

Investigators say Mitchell traveled by train from Michigan to San Luis Obispo to pick up the girl.

A search for Mitchell in the Michigan State Sex Offender Registry turned up negative.

Detectives are now searching the 16-year-old's computer for answers.

"Often times teenagers are looking for attention, they're looking for validation and that leaves them vulnerable to predators," said Dr. Terri Quinn, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist.

In a recent study, 16% of teens surveyed considered meeting someone they have only talked to online; 8% have actually met someone.

Police say this serves as a reminder for parents to monitor, as best as possible, what activity is going on over the Internet with their children.

"They cannot erase any of their history so I can always check their history and we have our computer in a room that I can always see them," said Leslie Gorman, a mother from San Luis Obispo.

As of Wednesday evening, investigators were still working to determine what charges Mitchell will face. At the very least, he will be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.