Six Suspects Wanted by Georgia Authorities for Elder Abuse

Police officers are searching for six suspects that have been accused of intimidation of an elderly person in Georgia.

Each of their charges include charges of kidnapping as well as aggravated assault in Georgia. Investigators released wanted posters yesterday for all of the suspects. No other details have been released regarding the incident(s).

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney, I will outline only one of the offenses that suspects are wanted on - kidnapping.

Kidnapping in Georgia

Kidnapping in Georgia is defined by Georgia Law in O.C.G.A. §16-5-40 as:

A person commits the offense of kidnapping when such person abducts or steals away another person without lawful authority or warrant and holds such other person against his or her will.

The elements of kidnapping as laid out in Georgia law state that just a slight movement is sufficient to constitute a crime. That action is legally referred to as asportation. 

Kidnapping convictions carry substantial penalties. Kidnapping is classified as a felony offense in the state of 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 tend to receive even longer prison sentences. Furthermore, a fourth conviction will be a felony conviction that carries a penalty of life in prison with no chance of parole.

Practice Note

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