A 19-year-old man from Wisconsin who was found guilty of stalking and kidnapping a 17-year-old girl is set to be jailed for only ten months.
According to WNCY, Toua Chang forced the teenager into his van last November in a parking lot as she was leaving work one night at W. Northland Avenue in Appleton.
The woman reportedly attempted to escape but was unable to due to “equipment issues with the van.” According to the statement from local police, she even fought off Chang’s attempt to handcuff her while inside the vehicle.
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Fortunately, the abductor’s family helped to free the unnamed woman once he brought her to their home. While the suspect’s family allegedly asked the victim to not report the incident to police, the girl’s family later contacted authorities.
An investigation would later reveal that the victim knew the suspect, and had earlier experienced unwanted advances from the Chang, which had intensified prior to the kidnapping, Post-Crescent reports. Chang was reportedly upset that she refused to date him.
In addition to his short jail time, the suspect will spend five years on probation and is tasked with 100 hours of community service.
Considering the physical and psychological harm the abductee may have sustained during the episode, the punishment Chang received seemed to be disappointingly lenient.
