Man Charged with Kidnapping in Georgia After Toddler Went Missing in Atlanta

Moses Allen is in custody after being accused of being responsible for a 4-year-old's disappearance from a Walmart in South Fulton County.

The little girl was found in Clayton County 24 hours later. She has been taken to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to be checked out and as of right now, everything seems to be okay. 

According to reports, Allen is a close friend of the child's mother, and she entrusted him with watching her while she ran errands. When she returned for her daughter, Allen and her child were gone. The woman then called 911. 

Allen was arrested after someone spotted him with the little girl at an elementary school the next day.

In today's post I will outline the offense of kidnapping in Georgia as an Atlanta Criminal Attorney.

Kidnapping in Georgia

The criminal offense of kidnapping in Georgia is defined by the Georgia Code as:

When a person abducts or steals away another person without lawful authority or warrant and holds such other person against his or her will. O.C.G.A. §16-5-40.

A conviction for kidnapping comes with substantial penalties - it is classified as a felony conviction in Georgia. The consequences for kidnapping a victim who is 14 years or older include a prison term between ten and twenty years. However, if the victim is under 14 years old, then the penalty is elevated to either a life sentence or a prison term between twenty years but less than life with probation for life after getting out of prison. A suspect will receive life in prison or the death penalty if the kidnapping was for ransom or if the victim received bodily injury.

Repeat offenders receive longer prison sentences. However, a fourth felony conviction includes a penalty of life in prison without parole.

Practice Note

As an Atlanta Criminal Lawyer, I try my best to always bring up the basis of our criminal justice system - everyone is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

If you or a loved one has been arrested for committing a crime in Georgia, contact our offices today.