California Man Flew Across the Country to Meet 13-Year-Old Girl He Met Online — Arrested After Her Mother Reported Alleged Assault

A 24-year-old California man has been arrested after allegedly flying across the country to meet a 13-year-old girl he had connected with online, before sexually assaulting her in Arkansas, according to police. The disturbing case came to light after the teenager’s mother learned what had allegedly happened and took her daughter to a medical facility for an examination. Investigators quickly launched a criminal investigation that eventually led authorities to the suspect thousands of miles away.

The Conway Police Department in Arkansas said the investigation began on October 27, 2026, after the girl’s mother reported the incident. Detectives determined that the suspect, identified as Dylan Baker, had allegedly met the teenager online before traveling from California to Conway, Arkansas, where the alleged offenses took place. Police have not publicly released further details about how the two first connected or the exact circumstances of the reported assault, in order to protect the young victim.

By the time investigators identified Baker as a suspect, he had already left Arkansas and was reportedly aboard a flight back to California. Detectives coordinated with law enforcement in California, and Baker was taken into custody shortly after his plane landed. Authorities said he would be extradited to Arkansas to face the state charges. The arrest involved cooperation between the Conway Police Department, Burbank Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Baker is facing several serious felony charges in Arkansas, including rape of a victim under the age of 14, internet stalking of a child and traveling for the purpose of engaging in an unlawful sexual act with a minor. The case has also moved into federal court: a grand jury in the Eastern District of Arkansas indicted him on November 3 on one count of traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. The federal indictment adds another layer to the prosecution, although the allegations have not yet been tested at trial.

Police have urged parents and guardians to pay attention to children’s online activities and maintain open conversations about internet safety. The case highlights how online contact can potentially lead to dangerous real-world encounters, particularly when adults exploit a child’s trust or vulnerability. Authorities have not released the girl’s identity, and further details remain limited while the investigation and legal proceedings continue.

Baker remains accused, not convicted. He is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless prosecutors prove the charges in court. Meanwhile, the teenager’s privacy and well-being remain central concerns as authorities pursue the case across state and federal jurisdictions.

Source: PEOPLE