Abduction

Abduction, the taking away of a child from its parents, a wife from her husband, or a ward from her guardian by fraud, persuasion, or open force. In the case of a woman over 21 years of age, abduction is the taking away of a woman against her will. Various penalties may be inflicted as the gravity of the different cases demands, ranging from two years' imprisonment to fourteen years' penal servitude. The abduction of children under 14 is termed child-stealing (q.v.) or kidnapping (q.v.).