Teen charged in O’Fallon kidnapping

On March 12, at approximately 5:23 a.m., the O’Fallon Police Department received a call to the 100 block of McCluer Drive in regard to a child kidnapping.

John Classen

During a neighborhood search and canvass, at approximately 6:10 a.m., both the suspect and the 10-year-old female victim were located in a vehicle in the vicinity. The child was reunited with her parents and conveyed to the hospital. The suspect, identified as 17-year-old John Classen, was taken into custody.

The suspect was known to the family. O’Fallon Police said evidence at the home indicated that a forced burglary was committed.

Charges of Child Kidnapping, Burglary 1st Degree, and Abuse or Neglect of a Child, with a bond of $1.5 million have been issued.