All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Riverton, WY) – On February 9 the Riverton Police Department (RPD) issued a release stating that a vehicle had been stolen while it was left running in front of a residence in Riverton, and that a baby was in the vehicle at the time it was stolen.
The infant was later safely recovered after the car thief abandoned the vehicle in the area of Riverview Road, following a “multi-agency search” from law enforcement. A suspect has now been charged in relation to the incident: 29-year-old Patrick Brown.
Brown was charged with felony kidnapping and felony child abuse at his initial appearance hearing held today, March 19, before the Honorable Judge Daniel Stebner at the Riverton Circuit Court.
According to the affidavit on file, the RPD took a report of a vehicle that was stolen from a residence in Riverton on February 9, at approximately 8:09 PM.
Officers were advised that the registered owner of the vehicle was unloading items into the residence, when the vehicle was taken with their 3-month-old child still inside.
The RPD reviewed video surveillance from a nearby location, which showed the vehicle theft in progress, the affidavit states. Upon reviewing the footage, officers observed an individual enter the vehicle and “immediately take off southbound,” but they were unable to clearly identify the individual in the video.
The stolen vehicle was later located at approximately 8:36 PM.
At today’s initial appearance hearing, Fremont County Attorney Patrick LeBrun shared that although the 3-month-old was located safely by an individual who immediately wrapped them up and placed them in a warm vehicle, the baby was left alone for approximately 30 minutes and was crying when found.
The affidavit also informed that the temperature on February 9 at 8 PM, “was approximately 19 degrees Fahrenheit.”
During the ensuing investigation, a subject contacted law enforcement and reported that he had provided “a male individual,” later determined to be Brown, a ride into town after he let him use his phone.
Brown told the subject he had been “jumped,” even though it did not appear as if he had been in a physical altercation of some kind, the affidavit states.
This occurred “approximately .25 miles away from the residence in Riverton where the child and vehicle were found.”
The subject was able to provide a description of Brown, as well as the number he called on the subject’s phone.
Officers later determined that Brown had asked another individual for a ride during that phone call.
The subject went on to inform law enforcement that he dropped Brown off behind a business in Riverton. He was also later to positively identify Brown when shown a lineup of photos.
Officers went on to speak with a confidential source, the affidavit continues, who stated they “heard a male talking about how he stole the vehicle,” and that “he (Brown) heard the baby breathing and reached back and felt the baby” before leaving the vehicle with the infant inside.
Brown was subsequently detained.
LeBrun shared Brown’s “significant criminal history” at today’s hearing, which included multiple property destruction charges, battery, false imprisonment, interference, and theft, all ranging from 2016 to 2024. Brown’s bond was ultimately set at $70,000 due to the nature of the alleged crimes and this criminal history.
Brown’s preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 26, but may be waived if the case is bound for District Court.
The maximum punishment for felony kidnapping is no less than 20 years to life imprisonment.
The maximum punishment for felony child abuse is 10 years imprisonment.
County 10 will provide updates on the case as they become available, which can be viewed here.