A Kentucky mother is taking legal action against Roblox after the death of her 13-year-old daughter, hoping to prevent other families from experiencing the same tragedy.
On December 2, 2024, Jaimee Seitz lost her daughter, Audree Heinee, to suicide — a moment she says shattered her world. Seitz describes Audree as a bright, artistic teenager who played sports, loved pageants, and brought joy to everyone around her. Nothing about her behavior that morning suggested she was in danger.
A week later, investigators told Seitz that her daughter had been influenced by members of an online extremist group known as TCC (True Crime Community) — a space that fixates on school shooters, encourages self-harm, and pressures young users into increasingly dark conversations.
According to Seitz, Audree met members of TCC on Roblox before being directed to Discord and TikTok, where the grooming intensified. Extremism researchers say this type of funneling — starting on a kid-friendly platform and moving to less-restricted spaces — is becoming common, even among children as young as eight.
Seitz spent days researching the group and later read Audree’s journal, where she found evidence of manipulation and pressure to harm herself. She said Audree “never would have hurt anyone” and believes her daughter was coerced into believing she had no choice.
The mother also learned that a school shooter in Wisconsin had worn a shirt identical to one Audree asked her to make — a detail she now views as a warning sign other parents should be aware of.
Experts warn that online communities like TCC can quickly radicalize young users by normalizing extremist behavior, validating harmful thoughts, and isolating them from real-world support. They recommend parents routinely ask their children what content frightens or confuses them online.
Seitz argues that platforms like Roblox are not doing enough to detect and stop extremist grooming. Her lawsuit seeks accountability, not money, she says — and a safer digital environment for children.
Roblox issued a statement expressing sympathy and reaffirming its commitment to safety, noting more than 145 platform safety updates this year and partnerships with law enforcement and digital safety organizations. The company emphasized its bans on extremist behavior and its use of AI detection systems, moderation teams, and reporting tools.
To honor Audree, Seitz created Audree’s Scholarship, which funds youth enrollment in an art and mindfulness program. She hopes the scholarship helps children express difficult emotions in healthy, creative ways — something she wishes her daughter had been able to do before the internet led her someplace darker.
SOURCE: WHSV3