Truck Driver Arrested After Meeting Teen Who Thought He Was Her Age Online

Key Details A 38-year-old truck driver was arrested in Ardmore, Oklahoma after law enforcement discovered him with a 17-year-old girl he had lured through social media. The teenager went missing from her Zachary, Louisiana home on March 17th and was located the same evening at a Love's truck stop. How It Happened The girl was communicating with the driver online, believing he was a peer. She requested a ride to Mississippi, and he offered transportation. When he arrived, she discovered his true age and intentions, but he took her in an unwanted direction instead of to her intended destination. Why It Matters Officers used the teenager's phone location to find the pair exiting a shower room. The investigation is ongoing regarding what occurred inside. The driver, Michael Jay, waived extradition and faces felony kidnapping, child endangerment, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor charges. What Parents Should Know Zachary Police Chief Darryl Lawrence urges parents to closely monitor their children's social media activity and online communications. Predators often pose as young people to establish trust before meeting victims in person.