Parents charged with kidnapping daughter

PROVO — Criminal charges have been filed against two parents accused of kidnapping their daughter a day before her wedding.

Lemuel and Julia Redd of Monticello were each charged Thursday in 4th District Court with a second-degree felony charge of kidnapping.

On Aug. 4, the parents took their daughter on what started out as a prewedding shopping trip. However, according to police, the Redds would not stop the car until they arrived in Grand Junction, Colo.

Provo Police Capt. Rick Healey said at the outset of an investigation that the parents were trying to dissuade their daughter, Julianna Redd, 20, from marrying her fiance, Perry Myers, both students at Brigham Young University.

The Redds eventually brought their daughter back to Utah — but not until after her planned wedding day. And they weren't successful in their appeals, either. Julianna Redd and Perry Myers have since married.

The Redds were unaware of the charges when contacted Friday, and said they didn't want to comment on the "very personal matter" until they had been served with a summons and received information about the charges.

"We met with (Julianna) and her new husband shortly after this occurred ... to make certain that they knew what a criminal charge was and what the process would be," said Utah County Attorney Kay Bryson. "We spoke to them just in the last couple days — (this) is what they want."

Bryson said Julianna Redd Myers understands she will have to testify against her parents if the case goes to trial.

During the trip, although the bride-to-be was not tied up or hurt, government prosecutors say the parents did act forcefully, Bryson said.

"There was an altercation in Salina where she did not want to get back in the van and they put her forcibly in the van," Bryson said.

The three then continued to Grand Junction, where Julianna persuaded her parents to take her back — although she had already missed her wedding. They spent the night in a hotel and returned the next morning.

"She just managed to convince them if they brought her back she wouldn't marry this young man," Bryson said. "That's the way she got them to return her to this area."

Police first learned of the alleged incident when Myers called the night of Aug. 4 to report his fiancee hadn't come to a family dinner, Healey said.

Calls to the Myers were not immediately returned Friday night.

A second-degree felony charge carries the possibility of one to 15 years in prison. However, because the parents crossed state lines during the alleged abduction, they could possibly face federal kidnapping charges, Bryson said, which carry significantly greater penalties.

---

E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com