Utah Teens Facing Kidnapping Charges

Three southern Utah teens may be facing kidnapping charges after allegedly participating in an incident involving a teenage girl last Sunday.

The Victim’s Kidnapping Story

The victim’s story is that at least three shirtless males wearing masks grabbed her from behind and put her in the back of a truck, closing the truck bed’s lid over her and locking her inside. They supposedly drove for a little while and stopped; at some point they opened the cover and she was able to get away.

The girl was able to provide a description of the vehicle, and three juveniles were arrested by the local police. After their arrests, a juvenile court judge ordered that the boys be released. The boys have since been removed from high school.

What Could Happen to the Boys?

If the young men are charged with kidnapping and found guilty, their punishments would be up to a juvenile court judge. They could potentially be in detention until they turn 21.

Kidnapping or Prank?

Is this a prank being blown out of proportion? The girl was likely scared, and if the boys did commit this act, it was a bad choice. However, should they be locked up for the next four years because of a prank? The answers to these questions depend greatly upon a person’s point-of-view.

If you’ve ever been involved in a prank, you know how easily something meant to be funny can go wrong. Most pranks are just that—a joke, and some jokes are pretty stupid. However, stupidity isn’t necessarily a crime.

Hiring a Utah Juvenile Defense Attorney

If your kid ever does something that police think is criminal, don’t wait to hire an attorney to represent him. Somebody may be looking for a scapegoat, and that could be your child. Let a Utah juvenile defense attorney provide your son or daughter with a vigorous defense, freeing you to support your child. It could be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.