Ohio Rev. Code » Chapter 2905
Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01 (2026)

Kidnapping

✓ current as of May 2026
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Effective:
March 22, 2019
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 201 - 132nd General Assembly
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(A) No person, by force, threat, or deception, or, in the case of a victim under the age of thirteen or mentally incompetent, by any means, shall remove another from the place where the other person is found or restrain the liberty of the other person, for any of the following purposes:

(1) To hold for ransom, or as a shield or hostage;

(2) To facilitate the commission of any felony or flight thereafter;

(3) To terrorize, or to inflict serious physical harm on the victim or another;

(4) To engage in sexual activity, as defined in section 2907.01 of the Revised Code, with the victim against the victim's will;

(5) To hinder, impede, or obstruct a function of government, or to force any action or concession on the part of governmental authority;

(6) To hold in a condition of involuntary servitude.

(B) No person, by force, threat, or deception, or, in the case of a victim under the age of thirteen or mentally incompetent, by any means, shall knowingly do any of the following, under circumstances that create a substantial risk of serious physical harm to the victim or, in the case of a minor victim, under circumstances that either create a substantial risk of serious physical harm to the victim or cause physical harm to the victim:

(1) Remove another from the place where the other person is found;

(2) Restrain another of the other person's liberty.

(C)(1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of kidnapping. Except as otherwise provided in this division or division (C)(2) or (3) of this section, kidnapping is a felony of the first degree. Except as otherwise provided in this division or division (C)(2) or (3) of this section, if an offender who violates division (A)(1) to (5), (B)(1), or (B)(2) of this section releases the victim in a safe place unharmed, kidnapping is a felony of the second degree.

(2) If the offender in any case also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a specification as described in section 2941.1422 of the Revised Code that was included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging the offense, the court shall order the offender to make restitution as provided in division (B)(8) of section 2929.18 of the Revised Code and, except as otherwise provided in division (C)(3) of this section, shall sentence the offender to a mandatory prison term as provided in division (B)(7) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code.

(3) If the victim of the offense is less than thirteen years of age and if the offender also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a sexual motivation specification that was included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging the offense, kidnapping is a felony of the first degree, and, notwithstanding the definite or indefinite sentence provided for a felony of the first degree in section 2929.14 of the Revised Code, the offender shall be sentenced pursuant to section 2971.03 of the Revised Code as follows:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(3)(b) of this section, the offender shall be sentenced pursuant to that section to an indefinite prison term consisting of a minimum term of fifteen years and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

(b) If the offender releases the victim in a safe place unharmed, the offender shall be sentenced pursuant to that section to an indefinite term consisting of a minimum term of ten years and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

(D) As used in this section:

(1) "Involuntary servitude" has the same meaning as in section 2905.31 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Sexual motivation specification" has the same meaning as in section 2971.01 of the Revised Code.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 1,804 cases (477 in the last 5 years), 1959–2026 · leading case: State v. Brentlinger, 2017-Ohio-2588, 90 N.E.3d 200.
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State v. Brentlinger, 2017-Ohio-2588, 90 N.E.3d 200. · cites it 38× “On review of the record, we find that the jury could have reasonably concluded from the evidence presented at trial that Brentlinger restrained or removed Croft for one of the prohibited purposes specified in R.C. 2905.01(A). Further, we do not see any indication that the jury…”
State v. Sowell (Slip Opinion), 2016-Ohio-8025, 71 N.E.3d 1034. · cites it 15× “{¶ 14} With respect to each murder victim, the indictment charged two counts of kidnapping: one under R.C. 2905.01(A)(3) (having a purpose to terrorize or to inflict serious physical harm) and another under R.”
State v. Skatzes, 819 N.E.2d 215 (Ohio 2004). · cites it 8× “Skatzes was also indicted on three counts of kidnapping [R.C. 2905.01]. *199 {¶ 23} The trial court changed venue to Montgomery County, and the case was tried before a jury.”
Jacobson v. Kaforey (Slip Opinion), 2016-Ohio-8434, 75 N.E.3d 203. · cites it 6× “03; kidnapping, R.C. 2905.01; and child enticement, R.C. 2905.”
State v. Winn, 2009-Ohio-1059, 905 N.E.2d 154. · cites it 12× “{¶ 13} Turning to the elements of the offenses involved in this case, R.C. 2905.01 defines kidnapping as follows: {¶ 14} “(A) No person, by force, threat, or deception, * * * shall remove another from the place where the other person is found or restrain the liberty of the other…”
State v. Knuff, 2024-Ohio-902, 239 N.E.3d 259. · cites it 8× “And although there is a stronger argument that Knuff’s actions technically satisfied the legal definition of “kidnapping,” see R.C. 2905.01, his actions were likewise an inappropriate basis on which to seek the death penalty.”
State v. Adams (Slip Opinion), 2015-Ohio-3954, 45 N.E.3d 127. · cites it 6× “01(A)), and kidnapping (R.C. 2905.01(A)). 4 Blanchard testified at a pretrial hearing that police officers arrested Adams in October 2007 for the express purpose of obtaining his DNA.”
State v. Aalim (Slip Opinion), 2017-Ohio-2956, 150 Ohio 8. · cites it 4× “(2) The child is charged with a category two offense, other than a violation of section 2905.01 of the Revised Code, the child was sixteen years of age or older at the time of the commission of the act charged, and either or both of the following apply: (a) The child previously…”
State v. Avery, 709 N.E.2d 875 (Ohio Ct. App. 3d Dist. 1998). · cites it 13× “11(B), and first-degree kidnapping, in violation of R.C. 2905.01. Appellant was sentenced to consecutive sentences of ten years in prison for the counts of rape, aggravated burglary, and kidnapping, and eight years in prison for the robbery offense, to be served concurrently…”
State v. D'Ambrosio, 616 N.E.2d 909 (Ohio 1993). · cites it 7× “The felony-murder count of the indictment (count two) does not state which subsection of R.”
State v. Morales, 513 N.E.2d 267 (Ohio 1987). · cites it 7× “The Committee Comment to R.C. 2905.01 illustrates particularly well the divergent standards to be applied when considering the kidnapping of an adult versus the kidnapping of a child under the age of thirteen: “Force, threat, or deception is generally required to commit the…”
State v. Worley (Slip Opinion), 2021-Ohio-2207, 174 N.E.3d 754. · cites it 4× “01 of the Revised Code, with the other against the other’s will,” R.C. 2905.01(A)(4). {¶ 61} Even if Worley had been sentenced for a violation of R.”
Show all 1,804 citing cases →
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A): 96 cases
State v. Adams (Slip Opinion), 2015-Ohio-3954, 45 N.E.3d 127. “01(A)), and kidnapping (R.C. 2905.01(A)). 4 Blanchard testified at a pretrial hearing that police officers arrested Adams in October 2007 for the express purpose of obtaining his DNA.”
State v. Skatzes, 819 N.E.2d 215 (Ohio 2004). “Skatzes was also indicted on three counts of kidnapping [R.C. 2905.01]. *199 {¶ 23} The trial court changed venue to Montgomery County, and the case was tried before a jury.”
State v. Morales, 513 N.E.2d 267 (Ohio 1987). “The Committee Comment to R.C. 2905.01 illustrates particularly well the divergent standards to be applied when considering the kidnapping of an adult versus the kidnapping of a child under the age of thirteen: “Force, threat, or deception is generally required to commit the…”
State v. Armengau, 2017-Ohio-4452, 93 N.E.3d 284.
Hartman v. Bagley, 333 F. Supp. 2d 632 (N.D. Ohio 2004).
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(1): 46 cases
State v. D'Ambrosio, 616 N.E.2d 909 (Ohio 1993). “The felony-murder count of the indictment (count two) does not state which subsection of R.”
State v. Skatzes, 819 N.E.2d 215 (Ohio 2004). “Skatzes was also indicted on three counts of kidnapping [R.C. 2905.01]. *199 {¶ 23} The trial court changed venue to Montgomery County, and the case was tried before a jury.”
In Re Slider, 826 N.E.2d 356 (Ohio Ct. App. 4th Dist. 2005).
State v. D'Ambrosio, 1993 Ohio 170 (Ohio 1993).
State v. Williams, 2024-Ohio-5578, 258 N.E.3d 658.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(11)(a): 1 case
State v. Brown, 2019-Ohio-527.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(2): 495 cases
State v. Winn, 2009-Ohio-1059, 905 N.E.2d 154. “{¶ 13} Turning to the elements of the offenses involved in this case, R.C. 2905.01 defines kidnapping as follows: {¶ 14} “(A) No person, by force, threat, or deception, * * * shall remove another from the place where the other person is found or restrain the liberty of the other…”
State v. Brentlinger, 2017-Ohio-2588, 90 N.E.3d 200. “On review of the record, we find that the jury could have reasonably concluded from the evidence presented at trial that Brentlinger restrained or removed Croft for one of the prohibited purposes specified in R.C. 2905.01(A). Further, we do not see any indication that the jury…”
State v. Bentz, 2017-Ohio-5483, 93 N.E.3d 358.
State v. Skatzes, 819 N.E.2d 215 (Ohio 2004). “Skatzes was also indicted on three counts of kidnapping [R.C. 2905.01]. *199 {¶ 23} The trial court changed venue to Montgomery County, and the case was tried before a jury.”
State v. Laws, 2021-Ohio-166.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(2)(3): 3 cases
State v. Knight, 2024-Ohio-2176, 245 N.E.3d 859.
State v. Small, 2011-Ohio-4086.
State v. Potts, 2023-Ohio-954, 211 N.E.3d 289.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(2)(3)(C): 1 case
State v. Edwards, 2024-Ohio-2254.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(2)(C): 8 cases
State v. Williams, 2015-Ohio-4100.
State v. Helms, 2010-Ohio-4872.
State v. Magby, 2019-Ohio-877.
State v. Daviduk, 2019-Ohio-1132.
State v. Hansen, 2012-Ohio-4574.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(2)(C)(1): 2 cases
State v. Kline, 2012-Ohio-4345.
State v. Morlock, 2024-Ohio-429.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(3): 315 cases
State v. Brentlinger, 2017-Ohio-2588, 90 N.E.3d 200. “On review of the record, we find that the jury could have reasonably concluded from the evidence presented at trial that Brentlinger restrained or removed Croft for one of the prohibited purposes specified in R.C. 2905.01(A). Further, we do not see any indication that the jury…”
State v. Sowell (Slip Opinion), 2016-Ohio-8025, 71 N.E.3d 1034. “{¶ 14} With respect to each murder victim, the indictment charged two counts of kidnapping: one under R.C. 2905.01(A)(3) (having a purpose to terrorize or to inflict serious physical harm) and another under R.”
State v. Knuff, 2024-Ohio-902, 239 N.E.3d 259. “And although there is a stronger argument that Knuff’s actions technically satisfied the legal definition of “kidnapping,” see R.C. 2905.01, his actions were likewise an inappropriate basis on which to seek the death penalty.”
State v. McFarland (Slip Opinion), 2020-Ohio-3343, 164 N.E.3d 316.
State v. Harmon, 2013-Ohio-1769.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(3)(C): 5 cases
State v. Matland, 2010-Ohio-6585.
State v. Magby, 2019-Ohio-877.
State v. Howell, 2012-Ohio-4349.
State v. Lashley, 2017-Ohio-4026.
State v. Marlowe, 2010-Ohio-4193.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(3)(C)(1): 1 case
State v. Morlock, 2024-Ohio-429.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(3)(c): 1 case
State v. Ortello, 2015-Ohio-3503.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(4): 503 cases
State v. Sowell (Slip Opinion), 2016-Ohio-8025, 71 N.E.3d 1034. “{¶ 14} With respect to each murder victim, the indictment charged two counts of kidnapping: one under R.C. 2905.01(A)(3) (having a purpose to terrorize or to inflict serious physical harm) and another under R.”
State v. Worley (Slip Opinion), 2021-Ohio-2207, 174 N.E.3d 754. “01 of the Revised Code, with the other against the other’s will,” R.C. 2905.01(A)(4). {¶ 61} Even if Worley had been sentenced for a violation of R.”
State v. Davis, 880 N.E.2d 31 (Ohio 2008).
State v. Adams (Slip Opinion), 2015-Ohio-3954, 45 N.E.3d 127. “01(A)), and kidnapping (R.C. 2905.01(A)). 4 Blanchard testified at a pretrial hearing that police officers arrested Adams in October 2007 for the express purpose of obtaining his DNA.”
State v. Black, 2019-Ohio-4977.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(4)(1): 1 case
State v. Thacker, 2021-Ohio-2726.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(4)(B)(1): 1 case
State v. Hodges, 2020-Ohio-4693.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(4)(C): 6 cases
State v. Williams, 2015-Ohio-4100.
State v. Chaney, 2010-Ohio-1312.
State v. Williams, 2012-Ohio-6277.
State v. Lashley, 2017-Ohio-4026.
State v. Clark, 2017-Ohio-4119.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(4)(C)(1): 5 cases
State v. Gessel, 2020-Ohio-403.
State v. McCain, 2019-Ohio-4392.
State v. Gessel, 2021-Ohio-1842.
State v. Triplett, 2018-Ohio-5200.
State v. Morlock, 2024-Ohio-429.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(5): 15 cases
State v. Groves, 2022-Ohio-443.
State v. Roberts, 2019-Ohio-4393.
State v. Hiatt, 697 N.E.2d 1025 (Ohio Ct. App. 4th Dist. 1997).
State v. Montgomery, 2019-Ohio-5178.
State v. Berry, 2017-Ohio-1529.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(6): 2 cases
State v. Logan, 2017-Ohio-8932, 101 N.E.3d 572.
State v. Campbell, 2024-Ohio-3340.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(B): 16 cases
United States v. Gonzalez-Ramirez, 477 F.3d 310 (5th Cir. 2007).
State v. D'Ambrosio, 616 N.E.2d 909 (Ohio 1993). “The felony-murder count of the indictment (count two) does not state which subsection of R.”
State v. Wilson, 659 N.E.2d 292 (Ohio 1996).
State v. Alexander, 2023-Ohio-3450.
State v. Logan, 2017-Ohio-8932, 101 N.E.3d 572.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(B)(1): 45 cases
State v. Williams, 2020-Ohio-1368.
State v. Hurt, 2022-Ohio-2039.
State v. Ridley, 2022-Ohio-2561.
State v. Quinn, 2017-Ohio-8107, 98 N.E.3d 1184.
State v. Jarvis, 2015-Ohio-4219.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(B)(2): 92 cases
State v. Gutierrez-Reynoso, 2023-Ohio-3122.
State v. Worley (Slip Opinion), 2021-Ohio-2207, 174 N.E.3d 754. “01 of the Revised Code, with the other against the other’s will,” R.C. 2905.01(A)(4). {¶ 61} Even if Worley had been sentenced for a violation of R.”
State v. Garner, 2012-Ohio-1439.
State v. Tringelof, 2017-Ohio-7657.
State v. Lewis, 2022-Ohio-1850.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(B)(A)(4): 1 case
State v. Patterson, 2017-Ohio-8970.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(C): 28 cases
State v. Sanders, 750 N.E.2d 90 (Ohio 2001).
State v. Thomas (Slip Opinion), 2016-Ohio-5567, 70 N.E.3d 496.
State v. Sanders, 92 Ohio St. 3d 245 (Ohio 2001).
State v. McKnight, 837 N.E.2d 315 (Ohio 2005).
State v. Mundt, 873 N.E.2d 828 (Ohio 2007).
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(C)(1): 28 cases
State v. Mohamed, 2016-Ohio-1116.
State v. Oghojafor, 2023-Ohio-44, 205 N.E.3d 687.
State v. Suggs, 2016-Ohio-5692.
State v. Singh, 2021-Ohio-2158.
State v. Rose, 2012-Ohio-5607.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(C)(3): 5 cases
State v. Singleton, 2016-Ohio-4696.
State v. Daley, 2014-Ohio-2128.
State v. Brown, 2013-Ohio-1982.
State v. Edmonson, 2025-Ohio-4314.
State v. Martin, 2024-Ohio-5486.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(C)(3)(a): 3 cases
State v. Jeffries, 2018-Ohio-162, 104 N.E.3d 900.
State v. Daley, 2014-Ohio-2128.
State v. Armstrong, 2011-Ohio-6265.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(C)(3)(b): 3 cases
State v. Vitt, 2012-Ohio-4438.
State v. Martin, 2016-Ohio-802.
State v. Martin, 2024-Ohio-5486.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(D): 2 cases
State v. Logan, 2017-Ohio-8932, 101 N.E.3d 572.
State v. Edmonson, 2025-Ohio-4314.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(D)(1)(a): 1 case
State v. Pasqua, 811 N.E.2d 601 (Ohio Ct. App. 1st Dist. 2004).
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(D)(5): 1 case
State v. Moyers, 738 N.E.2d 90 (Ohio Ct. App. 3d Dist. 2000).
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(G)(1)(e): 1 case
In re T.U., 2016-Ohio-7104.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(K): 2 cases
State v. Harris, 2020-Ohio-4138.
In re T.W., 2015-Ohio-5213.
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