A mother from Kansas is sharing a heartbreaking warning after her 14-year-old son, Caleb Moore, Lost his battle with mental distress following an online scam.
On June 10, Caleb started talking to someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl on TikTok. The chat moved to Snapchat, where the person sent him private photos and asked him to send some back. After Caleb did, the person turned on him. They began demanding money and threatened to leak his photos if he didn’t pay.
His mother, Morgan, says the threats were so intense and fast, her son felt like his life was over. Within just 35 minutes, Caleb took his life and ended himself in his home. When Morgan arrived, Caleb was still breathing, but doctors couldn’t save him.
“I was screaming and begging them not to give up on him,” Morgan said. “I just wanted to be with my boy.”
At first, the family didn’t understand why Caleb had done this. But police later found the messages on his phone. Morgan said Caleb even sent a photo of the gun, hoping the threats would stop.
The FBI calls this type of crime, where someone tricks a person into sharing private images, then blackmails them for money.
TikTok and Snapchat both say they have rules to protect young users. TikTok says people under 16 can’t get direct messages. Snapchat says teens’ accounts are private by default. But it’s not clear if Caleb’s profiles had the correct age settings.
Morgan now wants to help other kids and parents stay safe. “If you ever feel scared or threatened online, talk to someone you trust,” she said. “Scammers try to make kids feel helpless, but they aren’t. Parents, talk to your children openly and often.”
Police say they support the Moore family for speaking out and want to help them raise awareness. A GoFundMe has been set up to help with funeral costs.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Please Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You may also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
