Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2901 (2026)

Kidnapping.

✓ current as of May 2026

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CHAPTER 29

KIDNAPPING

Sec.

2901. Kidnapping.

2902. Unlawful restraint.

2903. False imprisonment.

2904. Interference with custody of children.

2905. Interference with custody of committed persons.

2906. Criminal coercion.

2907. Disposition of ransom.

2908. Missing children.

2909. Concealment of whereabouts of a child.

2910. Luring a child into a motor vehicle or structure.

Enactment. Chapter 29 was added December 6, 1972, P.L.1482, No.334, effective in six months.

Cross References. Chapter 29 is referred to in sections 911, 3104, 3502, 5743.1 of this title; section 3103 of Title 23 (Domestic Relations); sections 5750, 5985.1, 5993 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).

§ 2901. Kidnapping.

(a) Offense defined.--Except as provided in subsection (a.1), a person is guilty of kidnapping if he unlawfully removes another a substantial distance under the circumstances from the place where he is found, or if he unlawfully confines another for a substantial period in a place of isolation, with any of the following intentions:

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

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

(3) To inflict bodily injury on or to terrorize the victim or another.

(4) To interfere with the performance by public officials of any governmental or political function.

(a.1) Kidnapping of a minor.--A person is guilty of kidnapping of a minor if he unlawfully removes a person under 18 years of age a substantial distance under the circumstances from the place where he is found, or if he unlawfully confines a person under 18 years of age for a substantial period in a place of isolation, with any of the following intentions:

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

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

(3) To inflict bodily injury on or to terrorize the victim or another.

(4) To interfere with the performance by public officials of any governmental or political function.

(b) Grading.--The following apply:

(1) Kidnapping under subsection (a) is a felony of the first degree. A removal or confinement is unlawful within the meaning of subsection (a) if it is accomplished by force, threat or deception, or, in the case of an incapacitated person, if it is accomplished without the consent of a parent, guardian or other person responsible for general supervision of his welfare.

(2) Kidnapping under subsection (a.1) is a felony of the first degree. A removal or confinement is unlawful within the meaning of subsection (a.1) if it is accomplished by force, threat or deception, or, in the case of a person under 14 years of age, if it is accomplished without consent of a parent, guardian or other person responsible for general supervision of his welfare.

(Apr. 16, 1992, P.L.108, No.24, eff. 60 days; Dec. 20, 2011, P.L.446, No.111, eff. 60 days)

Cross References. Section 2901 is referred to in sections 2709.1, 5702, 5708, 6105 of this title; sections 5329, 6344, 6702, 6704, 6711 of Title 23 (Domestic Relations); sections 5552, 6302, 9720.2, 9799.14, 9799.55, 9802 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure); sections 6139, 7122 of Title 61 (Prisons and Parole).

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 175 cases (33 in the last 5 years), 1975–2026 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Markman, 916 A.2d 586 (Pa. 2007).

Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment

Commonwealth v. Markman, 916 A.2d 586 (Pa. 2007). · cites it 6× “18 Pa.C.S. § 2901(a). Removal or confinement is unlawful if accomplished by force, threat, or deception.”

Commonwealth v. Chester, 587 A.2d 1367 (Pa. 1991). · cites it 6× “Laird contends that the Commonwealth failed to demonstrate that defendants unlawfully confined the victim for a substantial period in a place of isolation, as required by 18 Pa.C.S. § 2901. In fact, Laird argues that this element of the kidnapping charge was not even alleged in…”

A.S. v. Pennsylvania State Police, 143 A.3d 896 (Pa. 2016). · cites it 2× “1) or (b), the following individuals shall be required to register with the Pennsylvania State Police for a period of ten years: (1) Individuals convicted of any of the following offenses: 18 Pa.C.S. § 2901 (relating to kidnapping) where the victim is a minor.”

Commonwealth v. Ortiz, 160 A.3d 230 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017). · cites it 9× “Based on these events, Appellant was charged with kidnapping of a minor, 18 Pa.C.S. § 2901(a.l)(2) (“kidnapping”); concealment of the whereabouts of a child, 18 Pa.”

Commonwealth v. Bomar, 826 A.2d 831 (Pa. 2003). · cites it 2× “[4] 18 Pa.C.S. § 2901(a). [5] 18 Pa.C.S. § 5510.”

Com. v. Rosario, K., 248 A.3d 599 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021). · cites it 3× “Appellant also challenges his sentences for kidnapping, stating: [Appellant] was illegally sentenced to consecutive sentences under 18 Pa.C.S. § 2901(a)(2) and (a)(3) for kidnapping Stancik.”

Commonwealth v. Spotz, 896 A.2d 1191 (Pa. 2006). · cites it 2× “§ 9711(d)(12). [18] 42 Pa.C.S. § 9711(e)(8). [19] Kent D.”

United States v. Marlon Flores-Granados, 783 F.3d 487 (4th Cir. 2015). · cites it 5× “1-18-01(1); 18 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann § 2901(a); S.D. Codified Laws § 22—19—1; Vt.”

Commonwealth v. Natividad, 938 A.2d 310 (Pa. 2007). · cites it 2× “§ 3702, kidnapping, 18 Pa.C.S. § 2901, and criminal conspiracy, 18 Pa.”

Commonwealth v. Gordon, 942 A.2d 174 (Pa. 2007). · cites it 4× “Following a trial that concluded on March 3, 2004, Appellant was convicted of kidnapping (18 Pa.C.S. § 2901), conspiracy (18 Pa.C.S.”

Commonwealth v. Robinson, 864 A.2d 460 (Pa. 2004). · cites it 2× “[12] 18 Pa.C.S. § 2901(a)(3). [13] 18 Pa.C.S. § 3126.”

Commonwealth v. Begley, 780 A.2d 605 (Pa. 2001). · cites it 2× “18 Pa.C.S. § 2901(a). A removal or confinement of a victim who is over the age of fourteen and is not incapacitated is unlawful for purposes of establishing a kidnapping if it is accomplished by force, threat, or deception.”

Show all 175 citing cases →

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2901(A)(1) — 1 case

Com. v. Begandy, J. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2014).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2901(a) — 38 cases

Commonwealth v. Markman, 916 A.2d 586 (Pa. 2007). “18 Pa.C.S. § 2901(a). Removal or confinement is unlawful if accomplished by force, threat, or deception.”

Commonwealth v. Bomar, 826 A.2d 831 (Pa. 2003). “[4] 18 Pa.C.S. § 2901(a). [5] 18 Pa.C.S. § 5510.”

United States v. Marlon Flores-Granados, 783 F.3d 487 (4th Cir. 2015). “1-18-01(1); 18 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann § 2901(a); S.D. Codified Laws § 22—19—1; Vt.”

Commonwealth v. Housman, 986 A.2d 822 (Pa. 2009).

Commonwealth v. Miller, 664 A.2d 1310 (Pa. 1995).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2901(a)(1) — 9 cases

Commonwealth v. Septak, 518 A.2d 1284 (Pa. 1986).

Com. v. Williams, J. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016).

L.A. Harley v. PSP (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2026).

Com. v. Williams, J. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017).

L.A. Harley v. PSP (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2019).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2901(a)(2) — 17 cases

Com. v. Rosario, K., 248 A.3d 599 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021). “Appellant also challenges his sentences for kidnapping, stating: [Appellant] was illegally sentenced to consecutive sentences under 18 Pa.C.S. § 2901(a)(2) and (a)(3) for kidnapping Stancik.”

Commonwealth v. Eckrote, 12 A.3d 383 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2010).

Commonwealth v. Taylor, 831 A.2d 587 (Pa. 2003).

Commonwealth v. Kindler, 639 A.2d 1 (Pa. 1994).

Commonwealth v. Calloway, 675 A.2d 743 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1996).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2901(a)(3) — 23 cases

Commonwealth v. Robinson, 864 A.2d 460 (Pa. 2004). “[12] 18 Pa.C.S. § 2901(a)(3). [13] 18 Pa.C.S. § 3126.”

Commonwealth v. Ivy, 146 A.3d 241 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016).

Commonwealth v. Banks, 198 A.3d 391 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018).

Commonwealth v. Holcomb, 498 A.2d 833 (Pa. 1985).

Commonwealth v. Martin, 694 A.2d 343 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1997).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2901(a)(4) — 2 cases

Commonwealth v. Ortiz, 160 A.3d 230 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017). “Based on these events, Appellant was charged with kidnapping of a minor, 18 Pa.C.S. § 2901(a.l)(2) (“kidnapping”); concealment of the whereabouts of a child, 18 Pa.”

Commonwealth, Aplt. v. Ortiz, T., 197 A.3d 256 (Pa. 2018).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2901(b) — 7 cases

Commonwealth v. Markman, 916 A.2d 586 (Pa. 2007). “18 Pa.C.S. § 2901(a). Removal or confinement is unlawful if accomplished by force, threat, or deception.”

Commonwealth v. Begley, 780 A.2d 605 (Pa. 2001). “18 Pa.C.S. § 2901(a). A removal or confinement of a victim who is over the age of fourteen and is not incapacitated is unlawful for purposes of establishing a kidnapping if it is accomplished by force, threat, or deception.”

Commonwealth v. Frey, 904 A.2d 866 (Pa. 2006).

Commonwealth v. Shank, 883 A.2d 658 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2005).

Com. v. Brown, R. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2901(b)(1) — 2 cases

Com. v. Shields, C. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016).

Com. v. Dietrich, C. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2901(b)(l) — 1 case

Com. v. Deleon, R. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2019).

Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.