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Earl has over 20 years of lecturing experience and has a master's degree in criminal justice.
In general, kidnapping is defined as removing or confining an individual against their will without the legal authority to do so. The act of kidnapping can be done by physical means, coercion, or fraud. Many states have their own definition, but one key element exists throughout the United States: For the act to be considered a kidnapping, the victim must be taken illegally.
One of the most famous kidnapping cases in United States history is that of Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jr., the 20-month-old son of Colonel Charles Lindbergh, the famous aviator. Baby Lindbergh was taken from the family residence on March 1, 1932. This kidnapping did not have a happy ending. On May 12, 1932, the body of Charles Augusts Lindbergh Jr. was discovered partially buried near a highway.
The Lindbergh case was the catalyst for the federal government in writing and passing the Federal Kidnapping Act, which is known as the Lindbergh Law. Prior to the Lindbergh case, local law enforcement officers, by law, could not travel across state lines in order to apprehend the suspect(s). The Federal Kidnapping Act allowed federal law enforcement officers/agents to assume authority and track down kidnappers and the victims anywhere in the United States.
On May 25, 1979, a boy named Etan Patz disappeared from Manhattan. This case was significant, because Etan Patz was the first missing child to have his face put on a milk carton. Unfortunately, Etan Patz was never found, and in 2001 he was declared dead.
Unlike the previous two cases, this next case did not involve physical kidnapping in the sense of being dragged away. Tanya Kach, by all accounts, had a horrible upbringing. As a child, Tanya was physically and mentally abused by her mother. During her teens years, her parents were divorced after a long legal battle. During that time, Tanya suffered more mental abuse from both parents.
Her kidnapper was Thomas Hose, who was a security guard at the school she attended. Thomas Hose learned all about Tanya's horrific past by reading the confidential counseling notes at the school. He used that information to coerce Tanya into years of mental kidnapping, and even had her using a different name.
Finally, Tanya found someone she could trust, and she contacted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. They were able to confirm that Tanya was a missing child, and the police were notified. Tanya was eventually rescued.
The following facts and statistics may shock you:
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Intro to Criminal Justice: Help and Review14 chapters | 533 lessons
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