Countless kidnappings occur every year. Most of the victims were white women between the ages of twelve and seventeen. Unfortunately, approximately ninety percent of kidnappers are men and in half of the cases the victims were victims of sexual assault (Krajicik). The definition of kidnapping is taking a person away against their will by force or threat and holding them under false conditions. imprisonment; detain a person without any legal authority or right to do so. There are many reasons why this horrible crime is committed. Some kidnap for ransom, to carry out other crimes, to gain custody of their child, and even for political reasons. Although most of us associate strangers with the perpetrators of such a crime, many victims are actually kidnapped by someone they know or even a relative ("Criminal Lawyer Source"). There is actually a list of criteria that must be met for someone to be considered kidnapping an individual. The kidnapper must hold the victim for a ransom, reward, or any other condition of release; use the victim as a shield for themselves or as a hostage; interfere with any government or political activity; use them to commit another crime; or to harm the victim or the victim's family ("Criminal Law Attorney Source"). In the United States, not only severe punishment for committing an act such as kidnapping, but also attempting to kidnap an individual carries a penalty. Kidnapping is now a federal crime due to the Lindbergh Act; issued after the kidnapping of the son of Charles Lindbergh, famous American aviator, (Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia). Over the past twenty-five years, the number of missing person reports has increased dramatically from 150,000 to 900,000..... . middle of sheet ......ld Almanac Education Group. Ebsco. Network. March 26, 2012. .Conant, Eva, Arian Campo-Flores, Catharine Skipp, John Barry and Dan Ephron. "The Enemy Within." Newsweek March 23, 2009: 36-39. Ebsco. Network. March 26, 2012. .Molla, Jordi. Emotional rapture. 2003. Madrid, Spain. Picasso Mio. Network. March 28, 2012. http://www.picassomio.com/jordi-molla/15466.html.Buckley, Madeline. "BRIEF: Police: Man kidnaps ex-wife, arrested in court." Brownsville Herald, The (TX) February 7, 2012: Newspaper source. Network. March 28. 2012.