Killer App | Full Episode

Two promising college students stand trial after a teenager is lured to her death with a smartphone app. "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant updates the case. Watch more full episodes of "48 Hours" on Pluto TV.
#48hours #crime #mystery
Crime. Social justice. Impact. "48 Hours" investigates the most intriguing crime and justice cases that touch on all areas of the human experience including greed and passion. "48 Hours," which premiered in 1988, has developed a rich history of original reporting and impact journalism that has helped exonerate wrongly convicted people, caused cold cases to be reopened and solved, and along the way changed lives.
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[@48hours]

Click here to watch more full episodes of "48 Hours": kzbin.info/aero/PLcFHkKbd_jTJiRmfUfLX2Ay_hnf5j3cxH

[@richardsmith1427]

aarRSwr

[@user-nf7ui7dz1z]

Leave it to 48HRS to blame the app right in the title of the episode even. Disgusting, per usual from the mislead at 48hrs. It was the gun, not the person firing the gun, attack the gun. It was the app, access to the app, the creator of the "disgusting app", but never actually blame the killers who did the killing, nope, protect them at all costs. I see through it 48hrs, others do to, trust me, look at Bud Light after they targeted children and your networks lied about the reason saying it was homophobic nonsense when people just didn't want Budweiser targeting children and yet, still no apology. More clarity? Dylan (the supposed transvestite) was given Budweiser specially marked cans and Dylan put those on Dylan's channel and this channels primary audience is children. Then Budweiser had Dylan make a commercial and this appeared on the channel, then the uproar, then the loss of like $30B from Bud and still it isn't enough to get them to own it so it must continue. You are playing the same games. Play stupid games win stupid prizes right? C'mon, just be normal. No one likes that stuff except the extremely brainwashed and there really aren't that many and I'm in a heavily "Blue" and large city.

[@stephaniemetzler6760]

​@richardsmith1427 😊😢😅🎉😂😂😊😮

[@lucycarola]

Many other apps, have moderators. It can happen w any app, BUT, apps like kick or Snapchat have been studied in terms of attracting certain ‘unsafe’ audiences. Like FB is for older folks, and Insta for younger ones (originally its target market was photographers), etc. So, YES, it SHOULD definitely hold ‘big-pockets’ accountable. It’s like the “Backpage” website case. “I am Jane Doe” was an eye opener for me.

[@user-ue1yw8th9b]

😊

[@sebsensen]

I get really tired of the whole "How could two intelligent college kids do this" or "How could a young, smart athletic man this" .... Sociopaths, predators, killers, etc. can be, and probably usually are, goal-oriented and educated people. We need to stop pretending that evil comes only in those who are not privileged enough to be highly educated.

[@rebella2073]

Exactly 💯🖌 yin-yang ☯

[@Owlbutterfly]

Old fashioned belief that people have

[@luvsupreme]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@jeremerathermel2405]

The more intelligent you are the more likely you are to be a psychopath

[@Owlbutterfly]

Its the same idea as a person believing someone is a good person just because they wear khaki pants and have a job . An old fashioned person would say "but how can he be doing drugs ...he has a job and dresses conservative .. I'm not saying that someone is a bad person just becuz they do drugs .but I'm talking about the ones who ARE

[@sbocaj22]

I’m also autistic and autism is ABSOLUTELY NOT an excuse for raping a child. Autism doesn’t remove your ability to understand how wrong that is.

[@injacreatives9680]

A disgusting abuse of the autistic meaning, he's a common garden variety sociopath rapist! I am autistic too, and autistic person will stand against him abusing this term to escape the consequences of his actions.

[@beccahday]

absolutely not, but it's just a consideration for lessened responsibility in some states due to the fact that autism is a developmental disorder and closely associated with empathic deficits. you know it's a spectrum, and there is an infinitude of possibilities for how the symptoms will manifest, and to what intensity, for each individual.

[@kentuky1233]

Everyone is autistic on the internet nowadays. Also everyone seems to have ADHD and there are more PTSD cases than after ww2.

[@liamfun1000]

but being a democrat does

[@Thakid_Kaz]

@@kentuky1233most ignorant comment

[@detentions]

I grew up next to David, he lived in my neighborhood for a few years. He showed signs even as a kid of something seriously wrong with him. He was aggressive and abusive preying on anyone smaller than him, a total bully and freak. I tried to warn his dad after an incident where he tried to attack me with a shovel. His dad said word for word “I don’t see my son doing that kind of thing”… David I hope you Rot.

[@TeaSpiracy]

Wow that's crazy. What was his logic for coming at you with a shovel? Do you know?

[@detentions]

@@TeaSpiracy man I couldn’t tell you for sure, but I think simply because he wanted to. He enjoyed inflicting pain and seeing the reaction.

[@newsystem420]

This needs more likes most definitely👍

[@kamivenus753]

Damn

[@leanbacksfinest]

Everyone of us have a psycho like this in the circle of growing!

[@socialbutterfly4146]

That girl sure didn’t look surprised, shocked or upset as she barreled through Walmart HOLDING the shovel!!! I’m glad they gave her 40 years!! She deserved LIFE!

[@thinkforyourself5672]

That father setting up a trap with his buddies is F'ing amazing. We need more of those people in this world

[@miapdx503]

Yes, we have to do what the police cannot or will not do.

[@emnem1212]

@@miapdx503agreed!!

[@damwaterthomas1980]

I agree with you and police can't do much for those who do terrible actions towards anyone nowadays.

[@eileenferris9619]

Agreed

[@eileenferris9619]

Yes basically I agree with all of you and my name is Emma

[@betterbetty3542]

That father has some damn good friends!! They were willing to risk everything to stand up for their friend’s daughter.

[@miapdx503]

True heroes. The mom, talking to her daughter's predator...just, wow.

[@bertasanchez9325]

So true. Most people don't want to get involved.

[@JeroenBIG]

Bull, it was a regular love affair

[@andreaberryhill6654]

I know... I LOVE how they handled the situation. This is how parents & friends used to be regularly: watching out & protecting each other.

[@mariamal465]

We all need friends like this, ready to back you up no matter what

[@sluggishmethod]

Its not about monitoring your children its about teaching them the truth in life's deprevities. This was heartbreaking to watch

[@Kim-yy4zd]

Even then kids can fall victim .

[@sevencharley]

i agree telling girls and boys early on what happens to them when they run away instead of shielding them think that’s protection.

[@LadyGreyBlack]

@@sevencharley I also think parents need to make sure their kids have other outlets besides social media, especially during this young of an age. I also know it may be difficult for fathers seeing their daughters grow up at this age, too, but they need to be more present in their daughter's lives to prevent this sort of thing from happening.

[@monicarenee7949]

Yeah I agree because it’s easy to sneak no matter how much a parent watches them in their home. When chat rooms were just starting up (way before social media days) I was a young pre-teen/teen and I would come across all kinds of grown men pretending to be young or even not pretending, looking for young girls. The reason I never connected with them was I had no interest beyond laughing with my friends about it. We were exposed to creeps but had a good foundation I guess.

[@uzzadazza]

Werd

[@msrealmuzik]

She’s crying, why? The pain he caused you??? He was definitely wrong, she should have accountability as well.

[@royalgoronga9444]

just imagined. which pain did he cause her

[@pixi2209]

She met him freewilling, few times, had sex with him. She planned to run with him from home, from parents.

[@user-ke4dx8yq6k]

The comment I came here for like what….. 🙄

[@Douglas_Hamilton]

I totally agree with you. She has a brain and is capable of making decisions and she was into it too.

[@charlisays]

She's doing it because her parents are uber religious so it's easier to play that role.

[@sarahw9198]

A 13 year old does not need all that freedom on her phone. Parents need to be aware of what their kids are doing online

[@annazaman9657]

A 13 year old doesn't need a phone. Period. Peer pressure makes parents get it for them

[@swallowedinthesea11]

I'm 24 and although I live in another city and work in construction, my Mom makes me send her my credit card statements because she doesn't want me to buy useless things and my Internet is monitored, I can't even have Netflix. I'm from a Korean family. She controls a lot of my life, unfortunately, and as the oldest I have to look after her. I have told her she's kind of interfering, but I agree that parents need to really talk to their adult and minor children about the dangers of the Internet, meeting people in person, leaving your drinks alone opening a window for someone to spike them, not honking your car horn, saying thank you when someone hodor for you, etc. Yes, there have been lives taken because the suspects didn't receive a thank you! I have a niece and I couldn't believe I acted like my Mom when I found out she had a lot of social media accounts and 'friends.' No 13 year old has 1200+ followers on Instagram and Facebook.

[@SoCalJellybean]

@@swallowedinthesea11Okay, but I hope you realize that this is abusive behavior from your mother! Just because it’s “a cultural thing” doesn’t make it okay!! I hope you’re okay. ♥️

[@electricmagnetic]

A grown man in college needs to know how to deal with the consequences of their actions. You're seriously blaming the victim?! Gafakyaself

[@electricmagnetic]

​@@swallowedinthesea11well, that's equally unsettling

[@tarajh]

Elizabeth's friend was very brave to tell her Mom about the 30y.o boyfriend so she could warn Elizabeth's family. That would've been a difficult thing to do at her age, and she probably saved her friend's life!

[@jumpscare1530]

Yes I was very impressed with the friend clearly knowing it was a dangerous situation and confiding in her mom

[@4HeimatLiebe]

Very good.

[@cruisepaige]

I told a teacher about a friend in 7th grade who was visiting a 28 year old guy in her apartment complex. He acted appropriately and I may have saved her life. All I know is the guy moved away the next day.

[@rhddfgdfdrgd]

Anyone can have children, but that doesn't make people parents, and if you're a parent, you know what your child is doing and talk to them about it. so where were the parents. social media can be dangerous irresponsible parenting is even more dangerous

[@4HeimatLiebe]

@@rhddfgdfdrgd yes, each reflect themselves if they are protective enough

[@brendaprater52]

I love this District Attorney. Telling parents what they need to hear.......

[@OneMeanArtist]

Kids do NOT need social media. They can live just fine without it. As a parent you should be able to say the word "no" to things that put your child at risk. So many parents today are too lax in their parental duties, trying more to be best friends with their kids rather than their guardians.

[@imjustaturtle641]

I really couldn't believe the mom wants to blame the app. Ridiculous

[@squeesquaaful]

Me when I have no idea what I'm talking about

[@bellakatherman1477]

How can kids be so cruel? Teasing someone because they have scars from surgery. It’s disgusting how awful kids can be. WTF are these parents teaching their kids??

[@juliestrickland7754]

Not one damn thing. Smdh

[@SatieSatie]

That's pretty common. I have a big, thick scar (+ three smaller scars) on my chest from a heart surgery when I was 10, and was insulted and made fun of for it ("You look ugly with that ugly scar" etc.) Children are cruel.

[@m3g_h4n]

I have been bullied since preschool about my surgical scars, i am 25 now and STILL i’ll have adults be rude about them People are cruel

[@bellakatherman1477]

@@SatieSatie that’s so awful. I’m sorry you had to deal with that.

[@user-ki1ey2te7l]

Parent+school were aware of bullying and didn’t stop it!

[@annahappen7036]

"She left out the window... with her favorite blue cartoon blanket" she was just a sweet baby angel!!!!😭😭😭😭😭

[@queenjolie]

To young for social media 😢

[@janpierzchala2004]

naughty and ...

[@Douglas_Hamilton]

@@queenjolie*Too

[@Ais-eb9bk]

Sweet?? Sneaking out the window is not a sweet innocent child.

[@Babybu_69]

@@Ais-eb9bkoh shut up a acting like you never did anything wrong as a kid!

[@221rabiyat00]

Let us not forget a part of this horrible story too: bullying. PLEASE PARENTS RAISE YOUR KIDS WELL. It is amazing how young kids at just 10-15 years old can be so mean to other kids

[@Lori-lp6uc]

It's getting out of hand 😠

[@masterlightjames950]

When their adult parents support Israeli atrocities and America's genocides, what do you expect of children?

[@lisahawj7694]

If the kids are a bully, the parents are worse. Good parenting doesn't allow their kids to bully another child.

[@blacksilverchair3315]

Stop giving children smartphones. It is that easy.

[@17thknight]

​@@lisahawj7694the worst bully in my school was raised by saints. You're trying to comfort yourself to say it couldn't possibly be your kid, but you're delusional

[@shaneadrianjoseph4151]

Why I have a problem with this girl blaming Jason for everything? She knew exactly what she was doing.

[@londonbridges9739]

Right!!!!!

[@catherineperez7851]

So true she knew and now she looks like the vitctim 😂

[@rebeccabarnett2907]

She was absolutely NOT a victim. She lied about her age and asked for everything she got!

[@abigailsanchez7722]

Oh my gosh…I was thinking the same thing and I didn’t want to get into that victim shaming. She does have to take some responsibility.

[@lisahawj7694]

Agree. It's funny how she plays the victim card now. I was once a 15 yrd. I sure know wtf I'm doing is wrong or right. Some people just love to blame others.

[@michellemueller7288]

There's no such thing as a relationship between a 15 year old and a 30 year old! That's just nasty!!! 🤢 And I'm tired of child molesters getting light sentences!! Just disgusting! And omg when Nicole's mom says, 'In her coffin' after she was asked about the last time she saw her daughter! That's just heartbreaking! 😞

[@beewest5704]

And I have noted that 99% of serial killers have prior histories of SA especially committed against kids.

[@OanhSchlesinger]

As a teenager, there is no way I would be with a 30 year old man who is obviously a perv.

[@cecelia1350]

He’s disgusting and so is the judge who basically get off scott free. For a 30 year old to date an 18 year old is still perverted, technically legal but morally wrong

[@miapdx503]

Too many judges are predators.

[@Gonzo_-zb5mf]

@@beewest5704 Agreed also, the USA seems to be vulnerable at this point. Many fighters are also female. To address your soldiers by accepting women to parrtienemcollect thies usefulm armies them often really proud. I will try b´my best to lr it haooen.

[@catalinacurio]

The shocking fact that the cops wouldn’t intervene with a pedophile visiting a 15 year old makes me sick to the stomach.

[@joeyoutube6113]

I think what police was saying is that the 15 years old was saying that nothing is happening and no one is coming so they took her word for it as a witness

[@Dporvida]

How are you so surprised though? They do this with everything. Including domestic violence. Cops don’t do anything until the people are dead.

[@pillettadoinswartsh4974]

"He hasn't raped, murdered, cut up her body, cooked it and eaten it yet. There's nothing we can do."

[@marilyzu1340]

It is disgusting 🤢 but........sometimes is 50 50 because this girl was lying saying she was 18 ,she met him and she went alone with him so it is what it is I know a lots of kids run to their killers is sad but pedos and child abusers are really often In every neighborhood

[@whodat7084]

@@joeyoutube6113Did the cops even look at her social media?

[@user-jz2uj1mr5c]

What great friends to have. Standing by her father and ready to do anything to catch a disturbed dangerous person.

[@Justice-ef9sk]

You can understand how a man can be tricked when a girl lies about her age. But the minute he learns of her real age, whether it’s through his own inquiries or she tells him the truth--THAT should be the end of the relationship, right there.

[@trash5637]

The parents who thought quickly and caught the predator are great, and I LOVE the dads friends who were prepared to protect the daughter as if she were their own.

[@cristinaherrera5321]

I could have used that in my life. Maybe in the next...

[@heathermetz3974]

This was smart active parenting.

[@Appl908]

The guy with gun was lamed. If he killed him, he would be jailed for life. At that point, they killed an innocent stranger. Remembered you have to prove your point in court. If Elizabeth claimed she don’t know him. Poppa and his friends is sone for it.🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@trash5637]

@@Appl908 who said anything about killing him? There’s online predators who meet up with minors and they’re armed, having intentions to hurt the minors. The fathers friend having a weapon, but knowing only to use it in case of emergency (ie if the predator came armed) was good thinking on his part!

[@handzndirt6494]

We all need a Phil💪🏾💪🏾

[@missmaggie2620]

Two intelligent college kids? Stop calling them that. Absolutely NOT. I'm so sick of bringing the "mental health" in the defense for Natalie K. All of a sudden your're mentally ill, but you knew it was wrong. And as a daughter of a schizophrenic, I have NEVER heard of a sort of schizophrenic diagnosis.

[@woodrowtaylor6907]

Smart is what smart does

[@kasiestockdall2954]

I can't imagine losing my baby so brutally and violently!!! I lost my son to pneumonia while he was asleep. That's hard but to think that her daughter died in so much pain!!! It breaks my heart to think of all the pain this baby girl went through.

[@sml91085]

Huge props to the parents and friends for setting that guy up and getting him arrested!!

[@MW-hy9ew]

Parents need to watch this. This can happen to anyone. Show your kids how real this is! Show them shows like this!

[@Kona_Blue]

No, I have several apps to watch their phone. Parents need to do better. This does happen to anyone, this girl had a messed up life

[@602virginia]

⁠@@Kona_Bluecan I have a few apps to watch please. I have several daughters 3 sons.

[@sgr_sgr]

And yet, statistically, a significantly greater percentage of child abuse happens within the family unit. Apps on phones are just software . AI will solve this problem to some extent, when each child has their own AI-powered CyberAngel 😇

[@sgr_sgr]

@@602virginiano app can stop this. Good parenting can.

[@mattmatt6572]

Yeah let to spend all her time on social media and still sleeps in bed with mom? Doesn't sound like good normal parenting to me.

[@Dark_Goth]

R.I.P Nicole. It broke my heart when she said nobody cared about her, she had her family and friends. And those that bullied her because of her scars are disgusting!! I hope her killers get KARMA in prison!!

[@speakthetruth995]

I've been saying this for years now, if you love your life and if you love your children keep yourself anf your children away from social media.

[@kayakazi7765]

💯, they are making it so easy for these predators

[@JULi3T16]

Or besides victim blaming teaching your children that hurting & k1lling other beings is wrong, how about that?

[@somanyfeelz]

Op wasn't victim blaming.

[@JULi3T16]

@@somanyfeelz right they weren't, but so many ppl are, it's not a one-sided problem. Kids these days need to be properly taught how to responsibly use social media, how to communicate but it seems they also need to be taught to not k!ll & hurt vulnerable beings

[@somanyfeelz]

@@JULi3T16 I agree with you.

[@laurenleeonethree]

The guy blaming his autism for statutorily raping a minor boggles my mind... I'm autistic and have never in my life slept with anyone under 18... That's disgusting.

[@wotiluv]

It was so gross when he stopped to that level to paint autism as something it’s not- just horrible

[@allanshpeley4284]

Personally I think sleeping with someone 18 years old is disgusting. The mind doesn't fully develop until 25 years of age. Anyone who's slept with someone under 25 needs to be jailed with the rest of the pedos.

[@chaeparker1999]

I’m so happy that Elizabeth’s parents were so proactive they literally saved their daughters life at that time

[@nicklatham6635]

Yes for sure and they were forced to take the law into their own hands!!!

[@chaeparker1999]

@@nicklatham6635 you are telling nothing but the truth

[@annetteb2432]

Protective? She said they thought they were being protective. They took her phone, but she did let them have her Internet connection. Protective? they had sex. I don’t know what you and the people that agree with you were watching.

[@stuntedgrowthmusic]

@@annetteb2432 facts. too late for protection

[@Lori-lp6uc]

So true. We're not our kid's buddies. We are their guardians. Our job is to instruct and protect them.

[@RMGrmgryfry1024479]

So so SO proud of those dads for stepping up and keeping Jason away. I hope the then 15 year old daughter is now old enough to appreciate this ❤

[@HobbyOrganist]

She sounded in the interview like she still prided herself that she could have secret parent-proof "chats" on Kik and that they can't monitor her.

[@lauratude5132]

But also she said she knows that man hurt her beyond repair. He did manage to “sleep with her” (statutory rape) once.

[@t.j.7789]

​@@lauratude5132I feel like her parents are hurting her by dwelling on it and saying he ruined her life. Her life isn't ruined. By showing her face so everyone in the world knows, won't help her let it go.

[@OnlyKidWithCamera]

This one broke my heart. Not only murdered but bullied by the cruel children in this world who were raised by lousy parents.

[@Mmolonn]

Thrilled the woman got almost as much as the murderer. A very strong message. May they never see the light of freedom ever again.

[@johnbrett8788]

So happy I grew up in the eighties with no pressure from this social media crap.

[@JJJJ-gl2uf]

I agree. Times were simpler then, even though it's not that long ago. I despise social media and other than commenting here I don't use any of it.

[@pillowbug3006]

Same here. Miss those days

[@lynnalexander9674]

Even more innocent in the 70s and even more as you go back in time. Humanity's on a dark path..

[@teresamarie7460]

A thirteen year old should not have a "keep out" sign on her closed door.

[@juliestrickland7754]

Absolutely! And our parents were so worried about pot and men who wore makeup and played rock music. Lord, if that was my biggest worries while I raise my granddaughters.

[@sarahw9198]

We have been warned about strangers in chat rooms since the 90s. The same parents who would prevent their preteen from going into an online chat room won't think twice about getting them a smartphone...

[@spiralrose]

THANK YOU! FINALLY someone comes out and says it…

[@clancycreations]

I think every family should watch this with their kids. I am so sorry for the loss of your baby girl. 💜

[@freyashipley6556]

I know a lot of us can relate to Nicole's experience as a kid with some small physical "imperfection", being forced to attend middle school by adults who can't imagine the level of cruelty that she faced there. I'm so, so sorry that she didn't survive that terribly hard phase of life. I wish I could have been her friend.

[@Marlaina]

The government forces us to attend school. There isn't many other options unless her mother home schooled but not everyone has the means and time.

[@fragrantbloom]

This is so sickening. Pedos should be immediately put behind bars forever.

[@gordonaliasme1104]

Death sentence, fast track. No appeals to delay. Pedophile can't be reformed.

[@faithsmit6839]

Death penalty imo.

[@Bernz66]

They should be placed six feet under….

[@madrush24]

I don't think either cases involved pedos tbh. There's actually a difference between sex offenders that involve kids and actual pedophilia. In these circumstances, it seems like they took advantage of impressionable kids vs they only have relationships with children.

[@lottoo5693]

No prison something else i would love to take the job

[@jukes243]

This needs to be shown in every school and home in the country.

[@victoria859]

THE PROBLEM IS PARENTS USE TABLETS N PHONES AS BABYSITTERS. IN MY FAMILY MY NIECE KIDS ARE ONKY 5 n 7 n Have Cell phones n Tablets n there so addicted being on them all the time. Grrrrrrr.

[@abbygalerowe6775]

I meann that does nothing u just have to teach your child about how anything can happen to u even with the ppl u trust/know

[@lee_yuhhh]

homes specifically! we had internet safety talks in school and no one took it seriously because we were dumb teenagers

[@capnobvious2718]

You mean like the DUII videos and live speeches from people who drank 2 cases of beer and slaughtered a half dozen of their friends when they drove 110mph directly into a 100 year old oak tree? Doesn't need to be shown, because it isn't the kids' responsibility, it is THE PARENTS. What good will it do to show this in school when parents will just shove 'em out the door with 2 dozen unsupervised mobile devices?

[@kayakazi7765]

Parents are lazy

[@jamalstar4243]

That was absolutely the WORST advice a friend can give. Why tf would you say "oh she's underage? ok date her, but just ignore her and she will go away". Noooooo. I swear ppl are stupid.

[@JustAnAverageWoman69]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@autumnmoon999]

Same - I was like WTH

[@shay4ojibwa638]

Nicole’s mother breaks my heart. Poor mama , I wish I could do something to ease your pain.

[@LichtAnker.]

It's always the same: Idiot does something criminal and, afraid of it coming out, he does something even more glaringly criminal. 🤦

[@wendyc1902]

He would have been better off going to an attorney to help him legally disconnect from this girl! The police caught him so fast it was better than leaving a footprint at the scene!

[@retiredkidbuck]

Yup, tigers do not change their stripes. That's why character and reputation, and breeding are so important in judging a person.

[@stevemiecznikowski9670]

Like Trump!

[@auntkaz815]

The most insincere and disrespectful “apologies “ I have ever seen.

[@milanamughal]

Advice of that “big brother” floored me. A normal person would say - if she won’t stop contact, find her parents and let them know. “Be a bad boyfriend, and she will go away”. Holy word…

[@taylorpresley4604]

My heart hurts for this mom, omg, heartbreaking. I wish her happiness and peace.

[@Whateverbaylie]

I’m So sorry for her mom :(

[@wenmcbrainvansandt3030]

Unsupervised life online is all it takes to lose a child to anyone from anywhere. These people don't even have to be in the same country to hurt and abuse your children.

[@felipeo8768]

Can't believe the billionaire owners of these apps never get scrutinised. If I sell a product that eventually causes harm, I'm held accountable, even if that product is used incorrectly. But these guys seem to have no accountability whatsoever. The law is pretty clear - if there is a link between an action and the damage it causes, there is grounds for liability. Seems pretty straightforward?

[@Ijesa]

'Are you ready to use this?' 'If I have to, yes!' I actually did not know how excited I was until I heard myself laughing.

[@stephanieann622]

I am so impressed with Brandon and his love for his daughter. It sure speaks volumes for what kind of a dad he is. I wish all kids had parents like him.

[@scf828]

The fact that parents blame the app instead of parenting their children is absurd.

[@user-dx3oq9oh9e]

I agree with you I guarantee if the 13 year old dad payed his daughter more attention like she wanted from him she wouldn’t of went looking for it some where else we gotta stop blaming everyone else an instead start looking at the parents

[@user-ex3zn5yq4r]

Agreed!!! Parents these days want to be their children’s best friends and to be liked instead of actually parenting. Every child deserves parents, but not every parent deserves children!!!!

[@shawnaweesner3759]

To scf828: Your comment is unfair to the parents. Children are responsible for their behaviors, too. And so are businesses.

[@MegaSmk]

@@shawnaweesner3759 right. and while we don't know if and how her parents punished her for her actions, I can tell you this: if she were my daughter, she would have been held accountable for her part in this mess. sure, he should have known better, but she contributed actively. It looks like she's not going to do anything similar again, but I'm not convinced it's for the right reasons.

[@mynameiseve.1]

Absolutely. Its crazy, the mom says they didnt even check her social media ever and the dad says if it happened to our family it can happen to anyone. Those statements really bothered me!

[@sketch735]

Why is it always social media's job to protect? As a parent, it's your job to be aware

[@capnobvious2718]

Nah. It's easier to blame teachers, social media, neighbors, cops, church, etc. Why bother with actual parenting when you can pretend everyone else is supposed to keep your child(ren) safe?

[@pixi2209]

🎯 Because it is easier for parents to blame everyone and everything around.

[@honeyxaj5587]

🤨

[@delilahhart4398]

That poor kid! She had a rough start in life and struggled to survive, only to have her life cut short in such a cruel manner.

[@travisthompson292]

This is why my wife and I keep tabs on my 13 year old daughter's accounts. But some of the blame is on the kids. Doing everything I can doesn't mean my daughter can't decide to sneak out the window. That's why we've got to be honest with our children about the dangers of the world. Sadly, children are over-trusting because they don't know YET😢. Unless they have been informed.

[@smithamy1982]

Why let her have those accounts in the first place? 13 is literally the youngest age allowed to be on social media but that doesn't mean it's a good idea.

[@inspiteofbecauseof4745]

Exactly! My kids will hate me, because no way, am I giving them phones/technology before at least age 16 and no social media until 18. I don’t even have social media. I don’t care if all of their friends have phones and most of them do.

[@smithamy1982]

Not to mention there's probably secondary accounts your unaware of, considering the majority of youth who have social media do that so their parents won't see everything but think they do. I've been told this by many youth who see me as the cool mom and they'll use messaging apps that are untraceable so their parents won't see the messages they don't want them to see, as well as hiding those and photo storage apps disguised as calculators or some scholastic type app that work as what they're disguised to look as and only reveal the hidden contents with a secret code/input method. It's mind-blowing what kids can do and get away with, with a smart phone, even the one with the most parental security settings possible are still oblivious to what is really going on in the phone. Be careful cause its a scary world online when you don't really know what you're doing or who you're really talking too, especially for a 13/14yr old who believe they've fallen in love with someone their own age and it's a romeo and Juliet type relationship. Unfortunately, their actually talking to a much older pedophile who is grooming them. Can't ever be too precautious.

[@stypa1717]

@@inspiteofbecauseof4745 Could not aprove more!

[@sjg5994]

Absolutely some of the blame is on the kids. This child knew she was doing wrong. She snuck out of the house but barricaded the door.😒. She was being too grown.

[@pollystamper9660]

Why do they think child predators can be fixed? He will continue with his sickness. It's disgusting knowing he only received 3 years

[@miapdx503]

Too many judges are predators too.

[@misterlister-wm2tj]

​@@miapdx503well what do youbexpect? Democrats want to remove the age of consent and also they want to class paedophiles as a protected group? All you have to do is vote them out

[@kayakazi7765]

​@@miapdx503makes sense

[@isaidwhatisaid4933]

Bruh ! So that 15yr old girl doesn’t know 30 going on 15 is wrong ? I don’t get it ! She wasn’t forced to have s3x with him , she was forced to text him , all of a sudden she’s crying HE RUINED MY LIFE ! Common man let’s call a spade a spade the parents are useless and the girl is slow ! Ok let’s assume the 30yr man is sick in the head , is the 15yr old girl sick too ? Can’t she articulate? But she knows how to enjoy s3x then play victim .. smh crazy world we living in

[@russellschie1876]

Look at the parents blaming everything but the fact you're not keeping up with their online activity.

[@taylor7687]

Hearing the next time her mom saw her daughter after seeing her alive was her coffin. Absolutely heartbreaking.

[@elwalker9034]

Man, kudos to this dad and his team of special ops friends. Major salute. Mom too. The daughter will be beyond proud of them one day.

[@malyroberts9075]

This is one of the scariest episodes I’ve watched. This could literally happen to any one of our children.

[@t.j.7789]

They BOTH knew it was all about sex!! If your child is looking for that, sure it can happen!!

[@SunFlower-x3]

I love that DA from Alabama, she's trying to keep kids safe, thank you DA and all other DA's that follow in her footsteps. You can be a snooping parent w/o being annoying. Until they move out you as a good parent can create boundaries, and if they (children) don't like it then grow up and move out. I would never tolerate disrespectful yelling, loud talking to me or walking off and slamming doors.

[@ellybean5868]

I can't believe with all of the pictures and communications the police say they can't do anything to help the family of the 15yr old. She says "what can you do, you have a 15yr old who is denying it"... I would say you have all of the evidence they needed. It's sad the family has to take care of the situation themselves. The girl is in Virginia Tech, an engineering student, and all of a sudden she has 7 mental illnesses

[@spiralrose]

People like to confuse, personality disorders, and mental illnesses. There is no excuse for this girl.

[@mimimonster]

Right? Bottom line though, if those illnesses didn’t prevent her from knowing right from wrong and didn’t affect her level of IQ then who cares…

[@mariawestman9026]

Was thinking exactly the same , hahahaha 😂 7 mental disorders !!! Which corner” do they find all specialized professors 😂 ??? Ok , she is behind bars anyway but if she was able to get freedom quickly the 7 diagnosis would have made her life look like a nightmare 😂😂😂 These papers will NEVER go away. 😂

[@tankthearc9875]

she lied she was 18, many of these teen girls lie and then run away

[@deeannadorough7378]

Too bad Chris Hansons show to catch a predator was cancelled. The transcripts were considered evidence.

[@CrustyUgg]

STOP 👏🏽 GIVING 👏🏽 YOUR 👏🏽 *_CHILDREN_* 👏🏽 IPADS 👏🏽 AND 👏🏽 PHONES 👏🏽 and they don't need an all access pass to the internet/social media! And they should never be allowed to take their phone into the bedroom at night when they should be sleeping. When will parents learn?

[@ariellumeer8458]

Elizabeth needed more freedom to be herself, strict parents make sneaky children. Nicole needed way more attention from her parents. That girl was crying out for someone to see her. Both sets of parents served their girls up to predators on a silver platter by the way they raised them.

[@esha4918]

Now Elizabeth situation is different. She was in a full relationship with a grown man with multiple rendezvous and a marriage proposal. I don’t think she’s a victim . I myself dated older men because I liked it 🤷🏽‍♀️ . It’s unfortunate but common at age 15 , 16 and 17

[@misstara322]

No child under 16 needs a cellphone. And no child under 18 should have unmonitored access to social media or the Internet.

[@juliaboyce3345]

I absolutely agree. The Internet can be dangerous for anybody at any age. Always keep in mind, you're going to meet up with a complete stranger. Someone you don't know anything about.

[@sneekz07]

You're being delusional about the cellphone.

[@JustAGrl007]

As a parent, I really found it surprising that these parents are putting responsibilities solely on these applications when they are not monitoring their OWN kids. Nowadays, as soon as the kid turns 3 they have a iPad in their face. You all are literally buying them access to these predators. You’re paying for the devices they use these applications online and pay for the Internet services. Then they don’t even take the time to read these guys. That apps like kik, provides them to learn more about the app. Anything to keep the kid out of your face SMDH. There are literally apps that you can use to block your key from going on certain websites or used in certain apps. You can also wait until they get to a certain age to provide them with smart phones and iPads. Maybe it’s because I’m millennial that was raised on technology but you cannot solely blame technology companies because you don’t wanna be responsible parent.

[@danis4054]

When the kids get to this age, the preteens are sneaky and whining that you’re invading their privacy. Like you’re reading their diary, which most people frown on while they judge parents for not watching their kids. It seems obvious but sometimes parents don’t realize what danger their kids could be in until they see something like this. How many parents look for a calculator app and check it even if they do go through their child’s phone? It’s a terrifying world out here.

[@loyisad1211]

What a disgusting self congratulatory comment on a tragedy. The mother is not a millennial. Did it ever strike you that she didn't know about the dangers? Why make such a cruel comment to a grieving parent?

[@Chefmarcellett]

Totally agree with you.

[@danis4054]

@@loyisad1211 exactly. I think her mom is going through enough. And will always be going through it. She never wanted her “out of her face” 🙄

[@teresamarie7460]

​@@loyisad1211It's a parents job to know everything about this world. Just like you parents know everything about your paid careers, you need to do the same for your parenting profession.

[@rhsb553]

The mom and dad in WA are badass! I love it.

[@candace872]

Go mom and dad! I love that dad got his buddies together to catch him.

[@c.stinson]

It's so heartbreaking to think of all the parents who probably sit by their murdered child's gravestone every day. Not to mention, the absolute terror the child must have went through in their last moments 😔

[@user-zv7lm8uk7h]

Blame the silicon valley companies. You saw the Kik exec smirk when asked about it.

[@tessaducek5601]

@@user-zv7lm8uk7h Parents hold much of the responsibility

[@islandgirl9479]

​@@tessaducek5601 Everything starts at home.

[@The_Scarlet_Pen]

The fact that parents are still shocked that this kind of thing happens is crazy to me. Social media has been a major part of our lives for around 20 years, and, for just as long, underage kids have connected with predators through social media. Here’s the thing: before social media, pedophiles lured kids on instant messenger. And before that, they found their prey in person. The idea that your kid is safe anywhere without you as a parent taking steps to ensure their safety is a really irresponsible, entitled way of thinking. If you regularly drop your child off at a Starbucks unsupervised, and they are groomed over time and ultimately snatched by a frequent customer, are you going to blame Starbucks? I would hope not. Responsibility for your child’s safety does not transfer over to a location, physical or digital, and the onus isn’t on the company that runs it simply because your kid walks into their establishment or uses their website. If you are handing your kid a smartphone or giving them any access online, it is on you to monitor who they’re engaging with. Parents are not helpless against the big bad social media machine. They have to be more involved and less permissive. They need to do the hard things: limit screentime, insist on access to all logins, set automatated restrictions, and take the phone/tablet/laptop if the kid isn’t going to comply. Facebook/Kik/etc. are not your kids’ parents…you are.

[@relocatetoItaly]

I agree and wouldn't let my child anywhere near a smart phone or tablet. However they will simply go over to a friend's house and use the friends phone to get on these apps. It requires everyone to ban their kids from online access. Not that realistic

[@rochelleshon306]

Well said, thank you, thank you! Your comment should be a PSA.

[@shopsshire9282]

​@@relocatetoItalythat you don't let your kid go over that friend's house anymore they're no longer their friend easy as pie

[@tessaducek5601]

@@rochelleshon306 Agreed. 👍👍👍

[@viablue8143]

I agree. While I don’t think it’s possible to completely keep your child from danger, you can take steps to protect them. Limit the possibility of them meeting predators as much as you can. And talk to your child. Tell them why you’re doing this - it’s not to be “mean”, not to take away their fun and their friends, and not because you think that they’re stupid. (Because your kid WILL think that you see them as stupid, and that they’re much smarter and can dodge the danger. Some can, most can’t. So try to make them understand that this isn’t about being smart or not.) I feel sorry for any parent that loses their child in a similar way… but usually at the ens it comes out that they didn’t really parent the child very much. That’s why the social media blaming is happening, too. People expect companies to protect their children in their stead, and that just isn’t realistic… I’m not saying this to blame the parent. They already lost far more than they deserve for making a mistake like that, there’s no need for people to point fingers at them. Just… remember these things. Remember them and learn from them, so you can keep the children in your life safe.

[@JenniferMoleski]

I don't think shutting kik down is called for. I've always despised the whole idea of "this was used to hurt someone so get the government to shut it down." It's short sighted and tyrannical.

[@allanshpeley4284]

Indeed. But it let's parents shift the blame for their bad parenting to someone else.

[@ragenbostrom7813]

It's not KIK's fault that predators target children. Shutting down a texting platform won't stop these predators from victimizing kids.

[@NotYourBizz]

Oh please ! Stop blaming apps and look at your own parenting! Accountability for your children .

[@ivavulaj]

Very true

[@johnmike121]

seriously the parents act like they had no power to prevent this

[@zb611]

I’m curious if Walmart has kept track of how many murderers have been caught &/or convicted bcuz of their clear strategically placed security footage. My condolences to Nicole’s family and loved ones. Fly high in peace Nicole 🕊❤️

[@mr.winkie]

Another example of great parenting. Especially dad. Good job. 👏🏽

[@benhoch9967]

Here's a thought, maybe if people start actually being parents instead of letting their kids lock themselves in their room and sit on their phones or computers, just maybe being real parents they would know exactly what is going on in their kids lives. I always know when my son is feeling down or sad, i know when something is bothering him, I know when he's acting strange or wants to tell me something but doesn't know how to. YOU AS PARENTS have to put the work aside and make the child the priority, not the career or social life or relationship with partner.

[@pixi2209]

🎯🎯🎯👏👏👏👏👍

[@Firebird-65]

Please parents beware of the evil out there stalking your children 🙏🥀🙏 Thank you 48 hrs for this coverage and reporting 👏

[@dementedopossum8148]

My son is 18 now, he was aware of the dangers of social media from early on. Talk to your kids, don't underestimate their ability to understand and most of all: dont cage them with prohibitions and punishments like mad. It only drives a wedge between you and them. If they have a healthy homelife they are much less likely to fall for this.

[@traybern]

18? So now he’s READY to prey on 13-year olds!!

[@MaliciousHavok]

I know right, the parents knew their daughter was being bullied and, as far as we're aware, didn't try to get her any psychological help. Its also no hard to tell your child that there are creepy people online and if you feel unsafe come talk to you.

[@camillelicour525]

I see eye to eye with you.The family blames the 30 year old man and social media but the daughter said that she felt imprisonned at home because her parents were too strict...that's why she found an escape.

[@dementedopossum8148]

@@camillelicour525 yes, we need to educate our kids on the dangers, not forbid everything and make it more "attractive " for them. Same with drugs, alcohol, toxic relationships etc. The most precious things you can give your kids are your time and understanding.

[@sidstovell2177]

​@@MaliciousHavokmaybe the mom couldn't afford to pay for a counselor? And from what I understand, there are fewer and fewer working for social services.

[@dazza8551]

Her mother saying she was on the phone all the time, why on earth would you let your 13 year old daughter be online all the time talking to strangers?! You meant to be a parent!!!!

[@simdal3088]

Oh lord, lets not pretend the second girl did not know what she was doing.

[@mandyjordaan4615]

I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR THIS FAMILY. THEY WILL GO AS FAR AS IT TAKES. THIS FAMILY DOES NOT WAIT FOR COPS TO HELP THEM.

[@miapdx503]

The police won't help. We have to police ourselves.

[@JemicoTX]

AND YOU TYPE IN ALL CAPS. WOW.

[@user-jz2uj1mr5c]

​@@JemicoTXI don't think it's relevant to anybody if people type in capital letters.

[@ADG.Est.1988]

This is not a new type of predator. Like most predators, they adapt to their environment. The tactics have changed but the game remains the same.

[@miapdx503]

They have it down to a science. When you lock them up, they get together and school each other on predatory behavior.

[@idolcomp1]

This is absolutely terrifying. Side note, I think that Elizabeth is lucky and I also suspect that she should be under close surveillance until she's 18 because her tears were definitely fake.

[@kaylee5918]

I’m an adult now but I used to use these apps to talk to strangers much older than me. I got straight As and had a good group of family and friends, but still somehow needed validation from strangers older men. Scary to think about what could have happened to me.

[@margochanning6868]

It's disgusting that the police claim there is nothing they can do.

[@Ais-eb9bk]

Yup. And then afterward when they find the body they say "there were early signs. If only parents had done something."

[@thecaptainsnark]

blaming kik is absolutely ridiculous. "they need to shut the internet down because I wasn't paying attention to my child."

[@misterlister-wm2tj]

Exactly this. They could monitor their kids Internet use but they're too lazy and they've all got the 'it will never happen to my child' attitude

[@pixi2209]

Oh yes! 🎯

[@Brendonbosy]

Your argument was the same one used by tobacco companies. No one was saying ban smoking, but tobacco companies knew full well their profit margins go up if they can get ppl hooked young

[@Brendonbosy]

For tech companies, It’s called “meta data”. If you think they only know your demographics by what you plug in when you sign up, buddy… you’re still living in 1999

[@thecaptainsnark]

@@Brendonbosy ...no.

[@Rachel-ul8et]

Elizabeth is very lucky to have people looking out for her

[@ThePratech]

Scary times we live in especially for teens R.I.P Little Angel 😇 Strength to her Family 🙏🏻

[@plainjaneofalltrades3853]

Nicole needed more attention and time from her PARENTS. She cried out online and they could see that. When your child yearns for everyone’s attention, that means they need it from you MORE!!! Give it to them!

[@victoria859]

Yes Exactly. Bad Parenting 💯

[@JessicaPhillips-ro4of]

Amen!!! So so sad! I just wish I could have given her a huge hug and told her she IS loved and she IS beautiful!!! Bless her heart😢 RIP Coley!

[@azazello1784]

She needed to go to gym.

[@mambi74]

@@azazello1784 Maybe there's karma in the world and one day you get to experience what a damaged liver/anti-rejection medication does to your body.

[@suspendeddisbelief401]

I felt that too. No tears from either parent. Cold

[@Strawn149]

The guy with the shotgun who was “trained in special forces” had me laughing.

[@user-jc8py7dw7r]

Yea. He thought really highly of himself, lol.

[@cobrakaicyberdon]

Yh he was reanacting it, like he was auditioning for a movie. 😅

[@miapdx503]

He was a hero. I kinda wish he'd pulled the trigger.

[@Arabzene]

It's not the CEO of a random social media app who is responsible for underage teens, but their parents!

[@megancolasono1108]

Why was a 13 year old even being allowed to date at all?! This is why we have been teaching our child about all the possible dangers as soon as she started using the internet/apps/games. Kids have to be thought how to be safe and what to watch for and be cautious of from anyone! It’s so vital to do parental control with one of the most dangerous things today. Internet and smart devices people hand their kids to occupy them.

[@ThisMusicChick97]

God the mom shaking and crying made me cry. That pain will be felt for a long time.

[@ls4.8frank]

I think Nicole's mother is more heartbroken that she didn't pay more attention and be more involved with what was going on with her daughter than the fact that she was gone. Guilt is more of a terrible thing than loss. I'm not saying she wasnt grieving or highly upset, but she is definitely feeling the guilt i can assure you. No matter how mad or upset your kids get at you, take the time to sit down and explain things and pick your child's brain and heart to know where they stand and what they are feeling or going through in life.

[@misscriss80]

Rip beautiful Nicole, everything you went through so early in life to survive and only for it to be taken so tragically!! 😢 I am so sorry.

[@lizab8400]

Only one of my 3 kids has a phone. She is 15 and still does not have the ability to download apps on her phone. She has no social media. The truth is we don't have the time to police that and our culture doesn't give a crap about our kids 💔

[@shawnadurocher1]

How does a child rapist only get THREE YEARS in prison???!! Washington State completely failed the victim and her family. Despicable.

[@LeahHa8]

Because they used autism as an excuse

[@jimmerrell1688]

Prolly belongs to a clique that gets special treatment.

[@Ruth78620]

3 years!!!!! Are you effing kidding me!! 🤬🤬🤬

[@ritatice6044]

Washington state has been failing it's victims for decades. Read books by Ann Rule, detailing horrific crimes in Washington. How they let a rapist out of prison without the victim's knowledge and he comes back and murders her, her young daughter and her next door neighbor. They are still soft on rape? Maybe the men in charge should get a taste.

[@bbe3034]

Liberal democrats have basically destroyed the justice system in Washington State.

[@subrotobanerjee4244]

This is what comes off when a child is given a smartphone too early in its life..

[@juanitawiley1263]

If your children are still carrying a blanket with cartoons on it… then they are in no way mature enough for a cell phone! Wake up people!