What must occur for an action to be considered First Degree Kidnapping?

For an action to be classified as First Degree Kidnapping, it is essential that the victim is held for the purpose of facilitating the commission of a felony. This requirement emphasizes the intent behind the kidnapping; it is not merely about unlawfully restraining someone but rather doing so to enable or further a serious crime, which elevates the severity of the act to First Degree Kidnapping. The distinction hinges on the purpose of the restraint and the potential harm or criminal intent involved.

While ensuring the victim's safe release is important in various legal contexts, it does not define First Degree Kidnapping. Similarly, the age of the victim or their familiarity with the perpetrator is not a determining factor in categorizing the crime as First Degree. The focus remains solely on the criminal intent to facilitate a felony by unlawfully detaining the victim.