Cops: Missing teen lured over Kik app; raped
CHICAGO — Three men are in custody after a missing 14-year-old Indiana girl was found in an Ohio apartment complex, reports CBS Chicago.
CBS Chicago reports that the FBI said Ian Smith Buti, 21, met the teen through the online chat application Kik, gained her trust and eventually drove her from her Schererville, Indiana home to the residence in Ohio. The girl reportedly went missing April 28 and was found May 2.
Authorities did not say whether the girl was taken against her will.
Buti allegedly left the girl with Eric Ho, 25, and Bryan Otero, 27. Ho is now charged with one count of rape and Otero with one count of complicity to rape, according to the Clermont County sheriff's office. Buti reportedly faces child porn-related charges.
The 14-year-old girl is back with her parents, authorities say.
The station reports that in response to a request from comment, Kik said "We take online safety very seriously, and we're constantly assessing and improving our trust and safety measures."
Last year, the same app faced scrutiny after a 13-year-old who was stabbed to death told friends she connected with her alleged killer on Kik. "48 Hours" investigated in the episode, "Killer App."
