There aren’t a lot of scarier things as a kid than the idea of someone abducting you. While statistically the odds of this happening to you are slim, the threat is still out there. People get kidnapped for a plethora of different reasons at all ages.
One of the most common reasons is the abductor’s attraction to young people. These perpetrators know their desires aren’t morally or legally okay, but still act on them. To satisfy these urges, they go out looking for a child who matches what exactly their preference is. Kidnappers who take children are often good with their words and know how to gain a child’s trust.
Another reason some people get kidnapped is for financial reasons. There are tons of examples of rich people’s family members being taken and held for ransom. The victim’s family will often pay up the second they’re able to, which usually goes against what law enforcement suggests. The kidnappers seek out families who can afford to pay top dollar. Offering a ransom the family can easily afford makes it more enticing for kidnappers.
There’s no telling exactly how long a kidnapper plans on holding their victim. Some victims have been held for hours, while others have been held for years. Most of the time, children who are taken only have 48 hours to live before they’re murdered. For more crime related content, click here to read more about the 25 most brutal criminals who ever lived.
To gather this list, 24/7 Tempo consulted different crime-related sources. These include the Library of Congress blog, People, and WatchMojo.
Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jr.
1931: Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jnr, son of the American aviator, on his first birthday. A few months later he was kidnapped from his home and murdered. (Photo by BIPS/Getty Images)
- Kidnapper(s): Richard Hauptmann
- When it happened: March 1, 1932
The kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh Jr. has gone down in history as one of the most fascinating, yet sad, cases in American history. He was the son of aviation pioneer Charles Lindbergh. During the middle of the night, Richard Hauptmann took a ladder and wen to the Lindbergh home. He allegedly kidnapped the baby with the hopes Charles Lindbergh Sr. would pay a massive ransom for his safe return.
Although it was paid, Lindbergh Jr. was still murdered. Hauptmann maintained his innocence up until the moment of his execution. The only evidence that’s been given is circumstantial. Because of this, there are many theories out there that he had nothing to do with it. As of 2024, Hauptmann is still the one accused of the crime, with nothing exonerating him.
John Paul Getty III
- Kidnapper(s): The ‘Ndrangheta Group
- When it happened: July 10, 1973
Another victim who got kidnapped for ransom purposes was John Paul Getty III. He’s the grandson of Jean Paul Getty, one of the wealthiest Americans in 1966. Getty III was kidnapped in Rome at the age of 16 years old. The kidnappers initially demanded $17 million for his safe return. The family wasn’t sure what to make of the outrageous demands in the beginning.
They thought Getty III was trying to extort money from his own family. In the past, he had shown signs of wanting to take advantage of the wealth his family had. However, when a human ear came in the mail, everything changed. His grandfather ended up paying a $2.2 million ransom. Getty III was promptly returned once the kidnappers got the money.
He needed surgery to attach his ear and spent the rest of his life struggling with drugs and alcoholism. Nine people were arrested from the organized crime group, but only two went to prison.
Elizabeth Smart
- Kidnapper(s): Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Ileen Barzee
- When it happened: June 5, 2002
Most kidnapping victims who aren’t taken for financial reasons are murdered within 48 hours of abduction. In Elizabeth Smart’s case, she spent nine months in captivity. Brian Mitchell believed he was a prophet when he took her. During the time of her captivity, she moved back and forth between California and Utah.
When Smart was abducted, her sister heard Mitchell talking and threatening Smart to come with him. While she couldn’t figure out who it was at first, she was able to pin-point the attacker months later. Mitchell had done work in the past for the Smart family, which is why he knew about his victim.
Smart was rescued in Sandy, Utah on March 12, 2003, while walking down the road with Mitchell. Thanks to her sister, there were ketches released to the public that helped him get recognized. She has gone on to be an author and advocate for survivors of similar crimes.
Jaycee Lee Dugard
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 09: Jaycee Lee Dugard speaks onstage at the 3rd annual Diane Von Furstenberg awards at the United Nations on March 9, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
- Kidnapper(s): Phillip and Nancy Garrido
- When it happened: June 10, 1991
Being kidnapped and held against your will for nine months sounds like a nightmare, but imagine living through this for over 18 years of captivity. This is what Jaycee Lee Dugard was forced to endure after being abducted from a bus stop in California. For six years, she was held in a shed in the backyard of the Garrido’s home. During this time, she gave birth to two daughters.
As time went on, Dugard was given more freedom to be inside the home of her abductors. Dugard and her daughters accompanied Phillip Garrido to the University of California, Berkeley. He wanted to give a speech on religion at the campus. During this appointment, all three girls acted odd. This prompted them to be called back in during the next couple of days.
When they were called back, the girls were constantly being asked by law enforcement who they were. After dodging the question for a while, Dugard revealed who she truly was. Once rescued, she sued the state of California for negligence due to the police having seen her in the home at one point. She’s gone on to live a quiet and peaceful life after enduring hell.
Chowchilla Bus Kidnapping
- Kidnapper(s): James Schoenfeld, Richard Schoenfeld, and Frederick Newhall Woods IV
- When it happened: July 15, 1976
Kidnapping one person is hard enough. Imagine trying to take 26 children and one adult simultaneously. This is what happened during the Chowchilla Bus Kidnapping. Three men took the group of mostly children with hopes of pulling in tons of ransom money. However, the adult bus driver helped the group of children escape a few hours after they were first abducted.
The group of children all survived, but some struggle with PTSD today. In total, they were only in captivity for around 19 hours. The group of men who kidnapped these children were sentenced to jail terms, but have all been released on parole as of 2024.
Steven Stayner
- Kidnapper(s): Kenneth Parnell
- When it happened: December 4, 1972
Being kidnapped at only seven years old is what Steven Stayner went through. He was held captive for seven additional years. Stayner wasn’t taken for ransom money. His kidnapping was fueled by inappropriate sexual deviancy. By the time Stayner turned 14, he had grown out of the boyish look his captor wanted.
Kenneth Parnell to look for another young boy to abduct, but still keep Stayner for himself. He succeeded and brought home Timothy White. Stayner knew what was going to happen to the young boy. Rather than watch White suffer with what was done to him, Stayner helped the duo escape successfully.
Stayner died young in a motorcycle accident at 24. His older brother Cary became known on his own for murdering women. Cary is currently on Death Row in California awaiting his execuation. White spent his life talking to children about constantly being safe and aware to avoid a fate like him. He died in 2010 from a pulmonary embolism.
Amber Hagerman
- Kidnapper(s): Unknown
- When it happened: January 13, 1996
Even though she was murdered shortly after her abduction, Amber Hagermam’s legacy lives on today. She was taken from a parking lot in Arlington, Texas after her brother went home without her. Four days later, her body was discovered. As of 2024, the perpetrator and motive are still unknown. The family felt that since she was taken from public, someone should have seen something.
After this tragedy took place, her family helped create the AMBER Alert. This is a program that alerts nearby citizens of possible abductions. The information that’s released is the car the child is in, a description of the child, and anything else that might lead to a safe recovery. This program has helped save countless lives since its inception. It’s become easier and easier with the increase in technology capabilities.
Charley Ross
- Kidnapper(s): Unkown
- When it happened: July 1, 1874
Charley Ross was born in Philadelphia in 1874. He and his brother Walter were taken by men who offered them candy and fireworks. After Walter was told to buy more fireworks from the store, the two men took off with Charley. The reason this case is so noteworthy is because it’s the first example of someone being kidnapped with a ransom motive in American history.
The suspect thought the family could pay the ransom with ease. Law enforcement advised against the family paying this ransom. After multiple attempts to meet the kidnappers with money and countless conversations back and forth, all communication stopped. Nobody knows what happened to the Charley or where he ended up.
Bill Mosher, Joe Douglas, and William Westervelt were seen as likely culprits to the kidnappings. Westervelt spent time in jail for conspiracy, but nobody has ever been formally charged with the crime.
Eddie Cudahy
OMAHA, NE - JUNE 23: A general view of downtown Omaha before game on of the College World Series Championship between the Virginia Cavaliers and the Vanderbilt Commodores on June 23, 2014 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
- Kidnapper(s): Pat Crowe
- When it happened: December 18, 1900
Patty Hearst
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- Kidnapper(s): Symbionese Liberation Army
- When it happened: February 4, 1974
Adam Walsh
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 25: John Walsh speaks onstage during the 32nd Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner To Benefit The Miami Project/Buoniconti Fund To Cure Paralysis at New York Hilton Midtown on September 25, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Thos Robinson/Getty Images for The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis )
- Kidnapper(s): Ottis Toole
- When it happened: July 27, 1981
Jessica Alba
- Kidnapper(s): Unknown
- When it happened: 1996
Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Georgina DeJesus
CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 1: Michelle Knight waits to address the court during the trial of Ariel Castro on August 1, 2013 in Cleveland, Ohio. Knight was abducted, along with Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus, by Castro and held captive for 11 years. (Photo by Angelo Merendino/Getty Images)
- Kidnapper(s): Ariel Castro
- When it happened: August 23, 2002-April 2, 2004
Bobby Dunbar
N/A
- Kidnapper(s): Unkown
- When it happened: August 23, 1912
Frank Sinatra Jr.
- Kidnapper(s): Barry Keenan, Johnny Irwin, and Joe Amsler
- When it happened: December 8, 1963
Being taken as a child is one thing, but getting kidnapped as a 19-year-old is different. Frank Sinatra Jr. was taken at 19 during a trip in Lake Tahoe. His captors had goals of getting paid out by his father, Frank Sinatra Sr. They wanted $240,000 for his safe return. The older Sinatra offered the kidnappers even more than they said, but they declined this. He paid the ransom, ensuring his son’s safe return two days later.
He wouldn’t let this event control him for his life and became a singer just like his dad. The three kidnappers were arrested and sentenced to prison. Barry Keenan, the organizer of the crime, was released and has gone on to have a successful career as a real estate developer. For more crime content, click here to read about the most infamous crime committed in every state.
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