Following the historic Lindbergh kidnapping (the abduction and murder of Charles Lindbergh's toddler son), the United States Congress adopted a federal kidnapping statute—popularly known as the Federal Kidnapping Act 18 USC § 1201(a)(1) (also known as The Lindbergh Law) — which was intended to let federal authorities step in and pursue kidnappers once they had crossed a state border with their victim. Lindbergh baby kidnapping poster. ... Charles Lindbergh Charles Augustus Lindbergh, Jr. ... Congress in Joint Session. ...

The theory behind the Lindbergh Law was that federal law enforcement intervention was needed because state and local law enforcement officers could not effectively pursue kidnappers across state borders; since federal law enforcement officers, such as FBI agents, have national enforcement authority, Congress believed they could do a much more effective job of dealing with kidnappings than could state and local authorities. In criminal law, kidnapping is the taking away of a person against the persons will, usually to hold the person in false imprisonment (confinement without legal authority) for ransom or in furtherance of another crime. ... The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a Federal police force which is the principal investigative arm of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). ...

Several states implemented their own versions of this law, known as "Little Lindbergh" laws, covering acts of kidnapping that did not cross state lines. In some states, if the victim were physically harmed in any manner, the crime qualified for the death penalty. This was what occurred in the Caryl Chessman case in California. Following the death penalty law revisions by the United States Supreme Court during the 1970's, kidnapping alone no longer constitutes a capital offense. Caryl Whittier Chessman (May 27, 1921 St. ... The Supreme Court Building, Washington, D.C. The Supreme Court Building, Washington, D.C., (large image) The Supreme Court of the United States, located in Washington, D.C., is the highest court (see supreme court) in the United States; that is, it has ultimate judicial authority within the United States...

A provision of the law provides exception for parents who abduct their minor children. (Although, see United States v. Sheek).