Calif. (KGET) — An Elk Grove man accused of abducting a 10-year-old girl in Taft last year after communicating with her through Roblox was held to answer Thursday on three felony counts
17 News lived blogged the preliminary hearing
Matthew Naval, who remains in custody on more than $1 million bail, allegedly abducted the girl on April 12, 2025, and was found with her the next day in Sacramento County
Advertisement
Judge William Schlaerth found sufficient evidence for the case against Naval to proceed on charges of kidnapping a child to commit lewd or lascivious acts and two counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor. He discharged another kidnapping count after finding insufficient evidence that force or fear was used
Naval, 28, told 17 News in a jailhouse interview that the girl said she was 18. He said all they did was hold hands, but court documents say he told investigators they kissed and he tried but was unable to book a hotel room in Fresno
Naval is due back in court Aug. 4 for arraignment
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News.
