Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to subnav
Searching 2023-2024 Session

The Vermont Statutes Online

The Vermont Statutes Online does not include the actions of the 2024 session of the General Assembly. We expect them to be updated by November 1st.

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.)