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Searching 2023-2024 Session

The Vermont Statutes Online

The Vermont Statutes Online have been updated to include the actions of the 2023 session of the General Assembly.

NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.

Title 13 : Crimes and Criminal Procedure

Chapter 055 : Kidnapping

(Cite as: 13 V.S.A. § 2404)
  • § 2404. Definitions

    As used in this chapter:

    (1) “Lawful custodian” means a parent, guardian, or other person responsible by authority of law for the care, custody, or control of another.

    (2) “Relative” means a parent, stepparent, ancestor, descendant, sibling, uncle, or aunt, including a relative of the same degree through civil marriage or adoption.

    (3) “Restrain” means to restrict substantially the movement of another person without the person’s consent or other lawful authority by:

    (A) removing the restrained person from the person’s residence or place of business, or from a hospital or school; or

    (B) moving the restrained person a substantial distance from the place where the restriction on the person’s movement commenced; or

    (C) confining the restrained person for a substantial period either in the place where the restriction commences or in a place to which the person has been moved.

    (4) A restraint is “without consent” if it is accomplished:

    (A) by acquiescence of the restrained person, if the restrained person is under 16 years of age and the restrained person’s lawful custodian has not acquiesced in the movement or confinement; or

    (B) by force, threat, or deception. (Added 1989, No. 293 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; amended 2009, No. 3, § 12a.)