A Utah community is reeling after a mother discovered her middle school child had been playing a disturbing computer game at school centered on pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The game, Five Nights at Epstein’s, takes players through the disgraced financier’s residence on his infamous Little Saint James island.
Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while serving time in a New York detention center. The Department of Justice has since released thousands of documents detailing gruesome evidence in his sex trafficking case.
The online game uses real images from the department’s investigation, including one of a room in Epstein’s mansion that appeared to contain dental equipment.
The digital game is modeled after the infamous Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise.
However, instead of fighting off animatronic characters in a pizza parlor, players must battle Epstein and other prominent figures named in the files.
Michelle Martinez revealed in a group Facebook page for Kearns, Utah residents that her son had played the frightening game at school.
Her post generated dozens of comments from concerned parents whose children were also aware of the game.
A computer game called Five Nights at Epstein’s has circulated among middle school children, with some even admitting to their parents that they have played it at school
The game models the popular video and movie franchise Five Nights at Freddy’s, except players must escape Jeffrey Epstein. Above, with his co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell
The computer game uses real images released by the Department of Justice from the Epstein files. Players must escape Epstein at his residence on Little Saint James Island
Martinez told local ABC affiliate KTVX that her son mentioned the disturbing game at a family dinner.
When the concerned mother pressed her son about the game, he revealed he had played it at school.
Five Nights at Epstein’s is a fan-made webpage and does not appear to be associated with any major video game companies.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the game’s support staff for comment on parents’ criticisms.
The disturbing game opens with a fuzzy black screen and images of Epstein, President Donald Trump and Stephen Hawking, all of whom were named multiple times in the files.
When players click to begin the game, a pop-up appears warning them to ‘defend yourself against Epstein.’
The game includes 11 cameras, and players must use the audio to keep Epstein away from them.
Martinez said that she had not yet had conversations with her son about Epstein or sensitive topics like sex trafficking and sexual assault.
‘It absolutely disgusts me and breaks my heart that our children are subject to this, especially in this day and age,’ she added.
Martinez told the outlet that she believes schools need to be doing more to prevent students from accessing inappropriate content online.
Michelle Martinez, a concerned mother, told local news that her middle school-aged son said he played the computer game at school. Above, with her family
A grab from the game. Parents have expressed concern online about how to explain to their children who Epstein was
Above is a comparison between stills from the game (left) and images released by the DOJ
Martinez’s son is a student at the Granite School District. The district told KTVX in a statement that they are aware of the game, calling it a ‘national trend.’
‘In February, Granite received a concern about this game from one parent, and the district was able to block the website at that time,’ the statement continued.
‘The district does not believe this game is being widely accessed at our schools. Regardless, we are committed to ensuring appropriate internet use in our schools, and we have a variety of safeguards in place.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to the district for additional comment.
Students across the nation have seemingly found the disturbing online game. Parents in North Carolina told the local NBC affiliate, WRAL News, that their children had also played Five Nights at Epstein’s.
Martinez’s son attends middle school in the Granite School District in Utah. The district said in a statement that they were aware of the disturbing game
The game features multiple ‘cameras’ depicting Epstein’s estate
One concerned parent, Alicia Brewer, told the outlet that her middle-school son mentioned to her that he liked playing the game.
‘I said, “I don’t want you playing that game. Do you know who that is?” He said, “No, it’s just a game.” I said it’s not just a game and I don’t want you playing it,’ Brewer said.
Another mom in Minnesota posted on Facebook: ‘Hey, friends of middle and high school-aged kids! There is a Jeffrey Epstein video game online that a lot of students are playing. Five Nights at Epstein’s. Your character has to hide in vents, closets, avoid security cameras, and the goal is to survive.’
‘Sending a warning out. There is a new computer game that kids are playing called 5 Nights at Epstein’s.
‘I don’t know what the game entails but it can’t be anything good. I am being told that kids are playing it on their school laptops. They go around the island trying to evade Epstein,’ wrote another mom in Indiana.
