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Indiana Kidnapping/Abduction Laws

According to Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 35-42-3-2 a person commits kidnapping if s/he knowingly or intentionally confines or removes another person:

  • With intent to obtain ransom;
  • While hijacking a vehicle;
  • With intent to obtain the release, or intent to aid in the escape, of any person from lawful detention; or
  • With intent to use the person confined as a shield or hostage;

In Indiana, kidnapping is a Class A felony.

A person is guilty of attempted kidnapping if each of the following is proven beyond a reasonable doubt:

1. The defendant knowingly or intentionally engages in conduct that constitutes a substantial step towards at least one of the following:

  • Confining another person; or
  • Removing another person, by fraud, enticement, force, or threat of force, from one place to another.

2. In engaging in that conduct, defendant intended to do at least one of the following

    • Obtain Ransom
    • Hijack a vehicle;
    • Obtain the release, or aid in the escape, of any person from lawful detention; or
    • Use the person confined as a shield or hostage.[i]

According to Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 35-50-2-4 a person who commits a Class A felony shall be imprisoned for a fixed term not less than 20 years and not more than 50 years, with the advisory sentence being 30 years. In addition, the person may be fined not more than $10,000.

Indiana State Police is the statewide law enforcement agency in the state of Indiana.  The primary focus of Indiana State Police is to protect the life and property of citizens.

Indiana State Police

[i] Ingle v. State, 746 N.E.2d 927, 936 (Ind. 2001)


Inside Indiana Kidnapping/Abduction Laws