Mint Butterfield, the child of tech entrepreneurs Stewart Butterfield and Caterina Fake, was found unharmed in San Francisco after being reported missing. The incident led to the arrest of an individual on charges related to child abduction.
Mint Butterfield, the 16-year-old child of tech billionaires Stewart Butterfield, the founder of Slack, and Caterina Fake, the founder of Flickr, was reported missing from their mother’s home in California. Mint, who uses they/them pronouns, was later found in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District, a region known for its crime and drug issues. They were discovered in the company of 26-year-old Christopher “Kio” Dizefalo, described as an “adult friend,” inside a van.
Christopher Dizefalo was arrested on charges of child abduction and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. Authorities had previously been concerned about Mint’s safety, citing a past suicide threat, and had described them as “at-risk”.
The incident initiated a considerable search effort that concluded with Mint being found safe and unharmed. Mint’s parents, Stewart Butterfield and Caterina Fake, who divorced in 2007, thanked law enforcement and all those who aided in the recovery of their child. They have not made any public comments since the incident.
The case, particularly the involvement of Dizefalo, remains under investigation, with potential legal proceedings yet to be confirmed. The events highlight the risks and challenges faced by children even from affluent backgrounds.
