header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


logo-lacodistrictattorney[KHTS] – A Saugus man charged with kidnapping a young girl from her Newhall home pleaded no contest and was sentenced, a prosecutor said Monday.

Ethan Odom, 37, was sentenced to five years in state prison, and due to state sentencing laws, he’ll have to serve at least 85 percent of that time before he’s eligible for parole, according to Deputy District Attorney Kathy Ta.

He pleaded guilty to one charge of kidnapping.

The five-year sentence is considerably shorter than the life in prison Odom was initially face based on the charges.

The prosecution withdrew the charges of first degree burglary with a person present, which is known as a “hot prowl,” and attempted kidnapping for a child under 14.

Officials accused Odom of trying to take another small child hours before the kidnapping of a toddler, but prosecutors felt there was insufficient evidence to prove that charge.

The case earned national attention because of the unusual nature of the allegations. Odom reportedly had no connection to the family of the victim.

Odom walked up to the window, called the girl over and then grabbed her and ran down the street, according to witness accounts.

Family members chased the suspect and were able to regain custody of the girl, as deputies worked to set up a containment of the area. The 3-year-old girl was not harmed.

The alleged abduction, which took place on Arch Street, near the intersection of 5th and Race streets, was reported at 7 p.m. Jan. 8.

While Odom had a lengthy record of drug and theft crimes, he did not have a violent prior on his record, and this will be his first “strike,” Ta said.

 

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

21 Comments

  1. That’s it!!!! That’s ridiculous! It shod be equivalent to murder. If that family didn’t save her right away she could still be missing, by the grace of God she’s not, but really, 5 years. His actions deserve far more than 5 years!

  2. 5 years. That girl is probably going to be traumatized for the rest of her life.

  3. Only 5 years?!? While I am very thankful he didn’t take her far and her father chased him down the street and took back his child, I am shocked that he only gets 5 years for that!! So he can be back here to do it again and maybe the child isn’t as lucky the next time around! Absolutely not enough time behind bars for kidnapping a child!!

  4. 5 years is nothing what about life????????

  5. We could just hunt him down when he gets out and kidnap him …… Just an idea and my hand is raised as a volunteer

  6. Steve Brown Steve Brown says:

    “Family members were able to chase him down…” WHY was he alive and able to stand trial if “family members” caught him.

  7. Well maybe when he gets out and does it AGAIN…. BECAUSE YOU KNOW HE WILL!!!! Maybe just maybe he will get more time!! Horrible to say…. But it really is the sad truth!! Fyi…. Did you know you GET 8 YEARS FOR WRITING A BAD CHECK….. But steal a child with intent for RAPE…. And you ONLY get 5 years!!

  8. Only 5 years? Hmmmm….

  9. Bryan Pievac Bryan Pievac says:

    No faith in our justice system anymore
    Oh wait, I never did

  10. Bryan Pievac Bryan Pievac says:

    No faith in our justice system anymore
    Oh wait, I never did

  11. What a Joke!!! A Time To K&@).. Just like the movie.

  12. What a Joke!!! A Time To K&@).. Just like the movie.

  13. That’s all? People get caught doing drugs(not selling) get more time then that….but at least he got more time then a pedophile!!!

  14. That’s all? People get caught doing drugs(not selling) get more time then that….but at least he got more time then a pedophile!!!

  15. My son has a disease drug addiction and gets 2 years and this POS gets 5 years???? WTF is wrong with this system!!!!! Not saying my kid didn’t deserve time but kidnaping a child is just 2 years worse than drug addiction? I think not!!!

  16. There’s something really wrong with this broken system smh

  17. Hugo Torres Hugo Torres says:

    Wow… That’s BS! I hope he gets placed in general population and let jailhouse justice take care of this pos….

  18. What if the family hadn’t rescued her? What was his intent? He should not get off easy just because he was unsuccesful.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
CSUN Partners with Fernandeño Tataviam Band to Build Urban Forests
Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
April 15: SCAA Presents Debbie Abshear Watercolor Demo
SCVNews.com