What to Know
When an Arkansas mother found strange text messages from an adult on her 10-year-old daughter’s phone, she went straight to the police. The Miller County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation, leading them to 20-year-old Raymond Oscar Harlen. The Burleson, Texas, resident allegedly began communicating with the young girl on TikTok and then took the conversation offline. Investigators say that despite knowing the child was a minor, Harlen began sending sexually explicit messages. When the girl tried to block him, he reportedly threatened to kill her. He now faces multiple charges related to his alleged pursuit.
Harlen and the child began communicating in May 2026.
According to court documents obtained by the Texarkana Gazette, Harlen first contacted the girl on May 9 through comments on her TikTok videos. The girl reportedly told Harlen she was 13, but he continued contacting her.
“At one point, he sends her a pictures [sic] of his face showing who he is,” per the affidavit.
The messages became increasingly sexually explicit. Harlen and the girl began playing a game of truth or dare, where he allegedly sent a photo of his genitals, wanting a shot of her thigh in exchange. The girl eventually blocked Harlen, who then messaged her from a different number.
“Why do you want me to unblock that number hm [sic] cause I’m not and don’t call me,” she reportedly messaged Harlen.
When the girl backed away, Harlen appeared to get angry.
The 20-year-old allegedly sent a 20-second video of someone holding a Glock-style gun and several other firearms in view.
“The suspect then says, ‘Bet. You won’t be exeting [sic] me buddy. I already found ya’ll [sic] matter of time when yall [sic] hear these guns blast through your house,'” Harlen allegedly sent.
The girl’s mother took the information to the police on May 18, and they traced the photo to Harlen. He was arrested in Texas on June 17 on charges of child sexual grooming, sexual indecency with a child, sexual extortion, grooming a minor for sex trafficking, first-degree terroristic threatening, and use of a communication device. He was extradited to Arkansas and is in the Miller County Detention on a $500,000 bond.
Signs Your Child May Be Receiving Inappropriate Messages Online
No parent thinks it will happen to them, but sadly, children are groomed by sex offenders daily. They create safe-feeling spaces and then prey on them. Stop It Now! shares warning signs of online sexual abuse and what parents need to look out for.
If a child suddenly begins to withdraw, isolate, and become secretive about their online devices, that could signal something is wrong. Spending more time online, becoming possessive of devices, and not wanting others to see them are red flags. The organization also warns about new friends that parents can never meet or speak to, but the child refers to them frequently and breaks plans to spend time with them. A child receiving gifts from their new friend and not wanting to share is a concern.
Parents also need to look out for drastic emotional changes in their children. If they suddenly become angry, self-harming, depressed, or have low self-esteem, they might be hiding something.
“Those who target young people for sexual exploitation online are often looking for a child who appears more vulnerable, perhaps has difficulty making friends or is experiencing loss or other trauma in their life,” Stop It Now! warns.
