On February 4, 2015, around 4:30pm, deputies were dispatched to the 100 block of Highland Drive, of Troy (Lincoln County), regarding a Department of Family Services assist. While on scene, deputies learned a six-year old boy was kidnapped by a male in his truck while walking home from school on Monday, February 2, 2015.
Sometime before February 2, 2015, investigators learned 23-year old, Nathan Wynn Firoved, of Troy (Lincoln County), was approached by a co-worker, 38-year old, Denise Kroutil, of Troy (Lincoln County), to kidnap her nephew to “scare” him because he was “too nice” to people. The victim’s mother, 25-year old, Elizabeth Hupp, of Troy (Lincoln County), and grandmother, 58-year old, Rose Brewer, of Troy (Lincoln County), both agreed the victim should be kidnapped to teach him a terrorizing life lesson.
Other than the victim’s aunt, the family members did not know Nathan’s last name.
On Monday, February 2, 2015, Firoved, waited for the victim to disembark his school bus when he lured the boy into his pickup truck. While in the truck, Firoved told the victim he would never “see his mommy again,” and he would be “nailed to the wall of a shed.” As the victim started to cry, Firoved showed him a handgun and told the boy he would be harmed if he did not stop crying.
Firoved drove the victim around in his truck for an undetermined amount of time. Unable to stop crying, Firoved bound the boy’s hands and feet with plastic bags and covered his face, with an adult sized jacket, making him unable to see.
Still unable to see, Firoved took the victim, unknowingly, to the boy’s residential basement and left him there. While in the basement, the victim’s pants were removed by his aunt, Denise Kroutil, who angrily told the victim he could be sold into “sex slavery.” Kroutil was also upset the boy did not try to resist her.
During the entire event, family members and Firoved remained in contact via the cellular phone as they terrorized the victim.
The victim remained in the basement for some time before he was unbound and told to go upstairs, where the victim’s family lectured him about Stranger Danger. Family members told investigators their primary intent was to educate the victim and felt they did nothing wrong. It is believed the entire event took place over a four-hour period.
The victim later disclosed the incident to school officials who contacted the Division of Family Services. The child was placed into protective custody. In addition, pursuant to a search warrant, evidence technician seized two handguns from Firoved’s truck.
Nathan Firoved, Rose Brewer, and Denise Kroutil are charged with Felony Kidnapping, Felonious Restraint, and Felony Abuse and Neglect of a Child and is currently housed in the Lincoln County Jail under a $250,000.000 bond. Elizabeth Hupp is currently charged with Felony Kidnap and Felony Abuse and Neglect of a Child and is currently housed in the Lincoln County Jail under a $250,000.00 cash only bond. Other conditions of bond may apply.
Sheriff John Cottle would also like to thank the St Charles Regional Computer Crimes Electronic Enforcement Group (RCCEGG) and the St Charles Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) for their consummate professionalism, technical expertise and tireless efforts in this case.
This case is still under investigation.
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