N.Y. Penal Law Section 135.25
Kidnapping in the first degree

A person is guilty of kidnapping in the first degree when he abducts another person and when:

1.

His intent is to compel a third person to pay or deliver money or property as ransom, or to engage in other particular conduct, or to refrain from engaging in particular conduct; or

2.

He restrains the person abducted for a period of more than twelve hours with intent to:

(a)

Inflict physical injury upon him or violate or abuse him sexually; or

(b)

Accomplish or advance the commission of a felony; or

(c)

Terrorize him or a third person; or

(d)

Interfere with the performance of a governmental or political function; or

3.

The person abducted dies during the abduction or before he is able to return or to be returned to safety. Such death shall be presumed, in a case where such person was less than sixteen years old or an incompetent person at the time of the abduction, from evidence that his parents, guardians or other lawful custodians did not see or hear from him following the termination of the abduction and prior to trial and received no reliable information during such period persuasively indicating that he was alive. In all other cases, such death shall be presumed from evidence that a person whom the person abducted would have been extremely likely to visit or communicate with during the specified period were he alive and free to do so did not see or hear from him during such period and received no reliable information during such period persuasively indicating that he was alive. Kidnapping in the first degree is a class A-I felony.

Source: Section 135.25 — Kidnapping in the first degree, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/PEN/135.­25 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 10, 2026).

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Verified:
Jan. 10, 2026

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 135.25. Kidnapping in the first degree's source at nysenate​.gov

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