(Fremont County, WY) – 29-year-old Patrick Brown was sentenced to 8-10 years imprisonment at his sentencing hearing held on September 4, in Lander.
The hearing was overseen by the Honorable Judge Jason Conder, with Timothy Hancock representing the State, and Valerie Schoneberger acting as the Defense.
Brown was originally charged with felony kidnapping and felony child abuse after a February 9 incident where he was reported to have stolen a vehicle that was left running outside of a Riverton residence while the vehicle owner was unloading items into their home. An infant child was still in the vehicle when it was stolen, and court documents state Brown went on to abandon the vehicle with the baby still inside later that evening on a dark road in cold temperatures.
Brown pled “not guilty” to the charges back in April, and a jury trial was set for July 21. However, a plea agreement was filed on his behalf back in June, which stipulated that Brown would plead “guilty” to the felony kidnapping (removal) charge, as per the third amended information document, which did not include the felony child abuse charge.
The plea agreement also stipulated that Brown would be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of no less than eight years and no more than 10 years. The maximum penalty for a felony kidnapping (removal) charge is 20 years imprisonment.
The plea agreement was ultimately accepted by the court at the sentencing hearing, where more details/clarifications surrounding the original incident were shared.
According to the original affidavit on file, the RPD received a report of a stolen vehicle from a residence in Riverton on February 9, 2025, shortly after 8 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.
At the sentencing hearing, it was revealed that, based on the investigation findings, the vehicle owner/mother of the infant would have parked her car at 7:58 PM before stepping into the residence, and Brown took the vehicle no later than 7:59 PM, just one minute after the mother went inside.
Both Hancock and Judge Conder went on to reference the comments on social media about the incidents that transpired, and took the public judgment to task.
Hancock said the “victim blaming” the mother received made her not even want to be present for the ensuing hearings, and that she wanted to “put the whole thing behind her.”
“I worry for the mom,” Judge Conder said, and advised the “people in the cheap seats” not to “throw rocks in a glass house.”
It was also revealed at the hearing that Brown was in the vehicle for an estimated six minutes before deciding to abandon it after he discovered the baby inside. A BIA employee in the area who had heard about the theft located the no-longer-running vehicle with the baby inside on Riverview Road at approximately 8:21 PM. Original court documents state it was 19 degrees at the time.
Judge Conder inquired about the current condition of the baby, and Hancock ensured that she was doing “okay” and no injuries were reported.
After Brown abandoned the car and child, investigators learned that he soon contacted another subject and told them that he had been jumped; that individual let Brown use their phone before giving him a ride into town.
Brown also received another ride from a different individual that night, who was able to later positively identify him from a lineup.
At the sentencing hearing, Hancock explained that Brown had a relatively minor criminal history, most of which involved alcohol, and that the State would consider a sentence reduction down the line if he completed the Youthful Offender Program.
Hancock explained that the State accepted the plea agreement because of his age and lack of severe criminal history.
Judge Conder asked if it was ever determined that taking the baby was premeditated, and Hancock explained that it was not, and further clarified that the kidnapping charge had more to do with the fact that he abandoned and did not return the baby once he discovered she was inside the vehicle.
Schoneberger later called the situation a “terrible circumstance,” and echoed that it was not Brown’s intention to take the baby. She explained that Brown is “essentially homeless” and the vehicle theft was a “crime of opportunity.”
“Any sober person would have taken the baby back,” Schoneberger stated after explaining Brown was also drunk at the time.
In addition to also recommending the Youthful Offender Program, Schonberger requested that Brown take the Intensive Treatment Unit (ITU) program to address his issues with alcohol.
Brown was given the chance to address the court, and stated that he was “sorry to the mother and family for (his) mistake” before sharing that he was a father himself.
He added that he “didn’t realize what happened” and was “praying” that the family would accept his apology.
Judge Conder went on to comment that Brown is “clearheaded” when sober, and “not the person he is when intoxicated,” but added that “being drunk” is an “aggravating factor, not a mitigating factor.” Judge Conder also stated that a reduced sentence was possible if he completed the Youthful Offender Program, but it was “not guaranteed.”
The court ultimately sentenced Brown to 8-10 years imprisonment, with 172 days’ credit. He was recommended for the Youthful Offender and ITU programs. The victims requested no restitution, so the court did not impose one.
Click here to view County 10’s coverage of the case.