According to MCLS § 750.349, a person commits the offense of kidnapping if s/he knowingly restrains another person with the intent to do any of the following:
- Hold that person for ransom or reward.
- Use that person as a shield or hostage.
- Engage in criminal sexual penetration or criminal sexual contact with that person.
- Take that person outside of Michigan.
- Hold that person in involuntary servitude.
Asportation is an essential element of a forcible-confinement kidnapping.[i] The elements of kidnapping are:
- a forcible seizure, confinement, inveigling or kidnapping of another,
- done wilfully, maliciously and without lawful authority,
- with the intent to cause such person to be secretly confined or imprisoned within the state against his or her will,
- an asportation of the victim which is not merely incidental to an underlying crime.[ii]
In Michigan, a person who commits the crime of kidnapping is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for life or any term of years or a fine of not more than $50,000.00, or both.
Michigan State Police provides 24-hour statewide quality police service for the safety and protection of the people and their property in the state of Michigan.
[i] People v. Vaughn, 447 Mich. 217, 234 (Mich. 1994)
[ii]People v Wesley, 421 Mich 375, 388-389; 365 NW2d 692 (1984)