Inv. Jeff Brown

I recently received a case that started with, "I met a man in a chat room on my cellphone." This is an example of the type of sophistication we are experiencing with our children today.   

I consider myself above normal with regards to my computer and technological abilities, however, I am often amazed at some of the sophisticated web pages, "Myspace" and other creative communication methods our kids are able to create and use.   

Two days ago my 13 yr old son received the first of four cell phn msgs from an unknown man. It started with him stating him met him (my son) at a party last night and stated he was gay. My son replied with how is this. The man replied with obsen offers to suck his c..k. My son told him to stop texting him. He didn't.

We were unaware of this until later that night. My son left his phone at home and we heard his phone notify a text has arrived. We always check our kids' phones periodically and so we checked the new message. It was an animated woman stripping with graphic detail then the final scene was a huge penis on the stripper shaking up and down. We were shocked and very upset. Ten minutes later another text from the same phone number arrived. It again asked if my son wanted to suck his big c..k!

Obviously, this person didn't stop. We called the police and I filed harassment charges yesterday.

What are my options? Also, my son deleted the first two messages and I need to know how to get the messages from my cell carrier before they are gone for good. My carrier told me I need a court order. Is that true? How should I proceed?

Hopefully you have already done what needs to be done...call the police. The police can retrieve the messages from the cell phone provider depending on the service and how long the messages are kept etc...etc... I would keep track of the calls and the number calling. I would also take the phone from the child and consider using a RADAR phone which would enable you to monitor and track the calls in real time. Again the problem with just taking the phone is you run the risk of the child finding another way to communicate.

Did your son actually go to a party the other night? Always consider the fact your son might not be telling you everything.

I hope I answered your questions. Please feel free to post any additional questions and/or  the resolution of the matter.