business
Snapchat sued in case alleging the platform is responsible for 12-year-old’s rape
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· June 24, 2026
· 6 min read
By Clare Duffy, CNN
New York (CNN) — The family of a Missouri teenager is suing Snapchat parent company Snap, claiming the social media platform facilitated her rape as a 12-year-old. Snapchat features such as Quick Add and Snap Map enabled assailant Gabriel Joel Valentin-Rios to connect with a...
Key takeaway Valentin-Rios recently pleaded guilty to one count of statutory rape or attempted statutory rape and one count of enticement or attempted enticement of a child; he was sentenced to 18 years.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The lawsuit against Snapchat's parent company Snap has implications for El Paso families who use the social media platform. As a community with a large number of young residents, El Paso parents should be aware of the potential risks associated with Snapchat's features, such as Quick Add and Snap Map. The fact that a manual detailing how to use these features to prey on young users was allegedly available on the dark web raises concerns about the company's ability to prevent abuse. El Pasoans should watch for any updates from local law enforcement or government agencies regarding efforts to work with Snapchat to improve safety measures and prevent child sexual exploitation. Additionally, local parents and guardians should take steps to educate themselves and their children about online safety and the potential risks associated with social media platforms like Snapchat.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Clare Duffy, CNN
New York (CNN) — The family of a Missouri teenager is suing Snapchat parent company Snap, claiming the social media platform facilitated her rape as a 12-year-old. Snapchat features such as Quick Add and Snap Map enabled assailant Gabriel Joel Valentin-Rios to connect with a...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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