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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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
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State v. Brentlinger, 2017 Ohio 2588 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). · 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 (Ohio 2016). · 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, 104 Ohio St. 3d 195 (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 (Ohio 2016). · cites it 6× “03; kidnapping, R.C. 2905.01; and child enticement, R.C. 2905.”
State v. Winn, 2009 Ohio 1059 (Ohio 2009). · 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 (Ohio 2024). · 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 (Ohio 2015). · 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 (Ohio 2017). · 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. 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 (Ohio 2021). · 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 (Ohio 2015). “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, 104 Ohio St. 3d 195 (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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
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, 104 Ohio St. 3d 195 (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. 2005).
State v. D'Ambrosio, 1993 Ohio 170 (Ohio 1993).
State v. Williams, 2024 Ohio 5578 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(11)(a) — 1 case
State v. Brown, 2019 Ohio 527 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(2) — 495 cases
State v. Winn, 2009 Ohio 1059 (Ohio 2009). “{¶ 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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
State v. Skatzes, 104 Ohio St. 3d 195 (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 Ct. App. 2021).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(2)(3) — 3 cases
State v. Knight, 2024 Ohio 2176 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
State v. Small, 2011 Ohio 4086 (Ohio Ct. App. 2011).
State v. Potts, 2023 Ohio 954 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(2)(3)(C) — 1 case
State v. Edwards, 2024 Ohio 2254 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(2)(C) — 8 cases
State v. Williams, 2015 Ohio 4100 (Ohio Ct. App. 2015).
State v. Helms, 2010 Ohio 4872 (Ohio Ct. App. 2010).
State v. Magby, 2019 Ohio 877 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019).
State v. Daviduk, 2019 Ohio 1132 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019).
State v. Hansen, 2012 Ohio 4574 (Ohio Ct. App. 2012).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(2)(C)(1) — 2 cases
State v. Kline, 2012 Ohio 4345 (Ohio Ct. App. 2012).
State v. Morlock, 2024 Ohio 429 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(3) — 315 cases
State v. Brentlinger, 2017 Ohio 2588 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “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 (Ohio 2016). “{¶ 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 (Ohio 2024). “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 (Ohio 2020).
State v. Harmon, 2013 Ohio 1769 (Ohio Ct. App. 2013).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(3)(C) — 5 cases
State v. Matland, 2010 Ohio 6585 (Ohio Ct. App. 2010).
State v. Magby, 2019 Ohio 877 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019).
State v. Howell, 2012 Ohio 4349 (Ohio Ct. App. 2012).
State v. Lashley, 2017 Ohio 4026 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
State v. Marlowe, 2010 Ohio 4193 (Ohio Ct. App. 2010).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(3)(C)(1) — 1 case
State v. Morlock, 2024 Ohio 429 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(3)(c) — 1 case
State v. Ortello, 2015 Ohio 3503 (Ohio Ct. App. 2015).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(4) — 503 cases
State v. Sowell (Slip Opinion), 2016 Ohio 8025 (Ohio 2016). “{¶ 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 (Ohio 2021). “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, 116 Ohio St. 3d 404 (Ohio 2008).
State v. Adams (Slip Opinion), 2015 Ohio 3954 (Ohio 2015). “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 Ct. App. 2019).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(4)(1) — 1 case
State v. Thacker, 2021 Ohio 2726 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(4)(B)(1) — 1 case
State v. Hodges, 2020 Ohio 4693 (Ohio Ct. App. 2020).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(4)(C) — 6 cases
State v. Williams, 2015 Ohio 4100 (Ohio Ct. App. 2015).
State v. Chaney, 2010 Ohio 1312 (Ohio Ct. App. 2010).
State v. Williams, 2012 Ohio 6277 (Ohio Ct. App. 2012).
State v. Lashley, 2017 Ohio 4026 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
State v. Clark, 2017 Ohio 4119 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(4)(C)(1) — 5 cases
State v. Gessel, 2020 Ohio 403 (Ohio Ct. App. 2020).
State v. McCain, 2019 Ohio 4392 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019).
State v. Gessel, 2021 Ohio 1842 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021).
State v. Triplett, 2018 Ohio 5200 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018).
State v. Morlock, 2024 Ohio 429 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(5) — 15 cases
State v. Groves, 2022 Ohio 443 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022).
State v. Roberts, 2019 Ohio 4393 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019).
State v. Hiatt, 697 N.E.2d 1025 (Ohio Ct. App. 1997).
State v. Montgomery, 2019 Ohio 5178 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019).
State v. Berry, 2017 Ohio 1529 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(A)(6) — 2 cases
State v. Logan, 2017 Ohio 8932 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
State v. Campbell, 2024 Ohio 3340 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
— 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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023).
State v. Logan, 2017 Ohio 8932 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(B)(1) — 45 cases
State v. Williams, 2020 Ohio 1368 (Ohio Ct. App. 2020).
State v. Hurt, 2022 Ohio 2039 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022).
State v. Ridley, 2022 Ohio 2561 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022).
State v. Quinn, 2017 Ohio 8107 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
State v. Jarvis, 2015 Ohio 4219 (Ohio Ct. App. 2015).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(B)(2) — 92 cases
State v. Gutierrez-Reynoso, 2023 Ohio 3122 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023).
State v. Worley (Slip Opinion), 2021 Ohio 2207 (Ohio 2021). “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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2012).
State v. Tringelof, 2017 Ohio 7657 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
State v. Lewis, 2022 Ohio 1850 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(B)(A)(4) — 1 case
State v. Patterson, 2017 Ohio 8970 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
— 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 (Ohio 2016).
State v. Sanders, 2001 Ohio 189 (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 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016).
State v. Oghojafor, 2023 Ohio 44 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023).
State v. Suggs, 2016 Ohio 5692 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016).
State v. Singh, 2021 Ohio 2158 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021).
State v. Rose, 2012 Ohio 5607 (Ohio Ct. App. 2012).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(C)(3) — 5 cases
State v. Singleton, 2016 Ohio 4696 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016).
State v. Daley, 2014 Ohio 2128 (Ohio Ct. App. 2014).
State v. Brown, 2013 Ohio 1982 (Ohio Ct. App. 2013).
State v. Edmonson, 2025 Ohio 4314 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025).
State v. Martin, 2024 Ohio 5486 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(C)(3)(a) — 3 cases
State v. Jeffries, 2018 Ohio 162 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018).
State v. Daley, 2014 Ohio 2128 (Ohio Ct. App. 2014).
State v. Armstrong, 2011 Ohio 6265 (Ohio Ct. App. 2011).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(C)(3)(b) — 3 cases
State v. Vitt, 2012 Ohio 4438 (Ohio Ct. App. 2012).
State v. Martin, 2016 Ohio 802 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016).
State v. Martin, 2024 Ohio 5486 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(D) — 2 cases
State v. Logan, 2017 Ohio 8932 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
State v. Edmonson, 2025 Ohio 4314 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(D)(1)(a) — 1 case
State v. Pasqua, 811 N.E.2d 601 (Ohio Ct. App. 2004).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(D)(5) — 1 case
State v. Moyers, 738 N.E.2d 90 (Ohio Ct. App. 2000).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(G)(1)(e) — 1 case
In re T.U., 2016 Ohio 7104 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2905.01(K) — 2 cases
State v. Harris, 2020 Ohio 4138 (Ohio Ct. App. 2020).
In re T.W., 2015 Ohio 5213 (Ohio Ct. App. 2015).
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