Philadelphia, January 15, 2026
An 18-year-old Philadelphia teen, Jahmez Cartwright, has gone missing after leaving for school. His phone pinged in California within 24 hours of his disappearance. Authorities suspect online luring through a gaming platform. His family urgently seeks public help in locating him, expressing fears for his safety. The Black and Missing Foundation is assisting in the search efforts to find Jahmez.
Philadelphia, PA
Missing Philadelphia Teen’s Phone Pings in California Amid Suspected Online Luring
An 18-year-old Philadelphia teen, Jahmez Cartwright, who has a cognitive disorder, went missing on Monday, January 12, 2026, while walking to school in Southwest Philadelphia. Within 24 hours of his disappearance, his cell phone mysteriously pinged more than 2,700 miles away in San Diego, California, raising urgent concerns of potential online exploitation.
Urgent Investigation Underway
Jahmez Cartwright was last seen on Monday, January 12, 2026, departing for school from the 6500 block of Linmore Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia. He never arrived at school and has not been seen or heard from since. Authorities and his family are treating his disappearance as an urgent and potentially dangerous situation, with evidence suggesting he may have been lured away through the online gaming platform Roblox by an older individual.
Cartwright is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing approximately 120 pounds. When he was last seen, he was wearing black jeans, a black coat, and black-and-white Rick Owens boots. His cognitive disorder is noted to cause him to have the mind of a minor, making him particularly vulnerable.
Family’s Desperate Plea
The family is deeply distressed by Jahmez’s disappearance. His cousin, Aisha Green, emphasized that Jahmez has never traveled outside Philadelphia and has no independent income, making the San Diego cell phone ping highly alarming. The family is seeking public assistance to locate him, expressing terror over his safety. The Black and Missing Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to finding missing persons, is actively assisting the family in their efforts.
Anyone with information regarding Jahmez Cartwright’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department immediately at 215-686-3120.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of the missing Philadelphia teen?
The missing Philadelphia teen is Jahmez Cartwright.
When was Jahmez Cartwright last seen?
Jahmez Cartwright was last seen on Monday, January 12, 2026.
Where was Jahmez Cartwright last seen?
Jahmez Cartwright was last seen departing for school from the 6500 block of Linmore Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia.
What is a significant development in Jahmez Cartwright’s case?
A significant development is that Jahmez Cartwright’s cell phone mysteriously pinged in San Diego, California, within 24 hours of his disappearance.
What are the suspected circumstances of his disappearance?
It is suspected that Jahmez Cartwright may have been lured away by an older individual through the online gaming platform Roblox, leading to concerns of potential online exploitation.
What is Jahmez Cartwright’s physical description and what was he wearing?
Jahmez Cartwright is 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs approximately 120 pounds. He was last seen wearing black jeans, a black coat, and black-and-white Rick Owens boots.
Who should be contacted with information about Jahmez Cartwright?
Anyone with information about Jahmez Cartwright should contact the Philadelphia Police Department immediately at 215-686-3120.
Key Features of the Disappearance
| Feature | Details | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Jahmez Cartwright | Philadelphia |
| Age | 18 years old | Philadelphia |
| Last Seen Date | Monday, January 12, 2026 | Philadelphia |
| Last Seen Location | 6500 block of Linmore Avenue, Southwest Philadelphia | Philadelphia |
| Physical Description | 5 feet 7 inches tall, approximately 120 pounds | Nationwide (as a characteristic for identification) |
| Clothing Last Seen In | Black jeans, black coat, black-and-white Rick Owens boots | Nationwide (as a characteristic for identification) |
| Key Development | Cell phone pinged in San Diego, California, within 24 hours of disappearance | Nationwide |
| Suspected Circumstances | May have been lured away by an older individual through the online gaming platform Roblox; potential online exploitation | Nationwide |
| Cognitive Disorder | Causes him to have the mind of a minor | Nationwide (as a personal characteristic) |
| Contact Information | Philadelphia Police Department at 215-686-3120 | Philadelphia |
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Author: STAFF HERE PHILADELPHIA WRITER
The PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhiladelphia.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mummers Parade, Philadelphia Flower Show, and Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Philadelphia, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, food services, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Comcast, Aramark, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Pennsylvania's dynamic landscape.
