logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Kidnapper Estimated David Letterman’s Baby Son and His Nanny’s Ransom at $5 Million in His Abduction Plot

Joe Akins
Sep 01, 2021
02:20 A.M.

American television host David Letterman once faced a difficult moment after news emerged of plans by a painter to kidnap his then 16-month-old son for a $5 million ransom.

Advertisement

74-year-old David Letterman has enjoyed a stellar career as a show host and one of the standout names in his field. Unfortunately, Letterman's successful career meant his pockets quickly became a target for kidnappers.

In 2005, the TV personality's son became a target of a kidnapping plot. The kidnapper valued Letterman's son's life alongside his nanny for $5 million. Here is what happened.

A picture of David Letterman and the man who tried to kidnapp his kid and nanny, Kelly A. Frank | Photo: Twitter.com/KRTV  Youtube.com/OWN

A picture of David Letterman and the man who tried to kidnapp his kid and nanny, Kelly A. Frank | Photo: Twitter.com/KRTV Youtube.com/OWN

THE KIDNAP PLOT

Letterman and his then-girlfriend had law enforcement agents to thank for their swiftness in uncovering the plot to kidnap his 16-month-old son for a heavy ransom at the time.

The kidnap suspect was one of Letterman's employees Kelly A. Frank, who worked in his 2,700-acre ranch west of Choteau in north-central Montana.

Advertisement

Frank, who was 43-years-old at the time, explained to authorities that he had planned to kidnap the talk show host's son and demand a ransom.

David Letterman at the 92nd Street Y presents Senator Al Franken in conversation with David Letterman on May 30, 2017, in New York City | Photo: Getty Images

David Letterman at the 92nd Street Y presents Senator Al Franken in conversation with David Letterman on May 30, 2017, in New York City | Photo: Getty Images

Frank also planned to kidnap the toddler's nanny to take care of Letterman's baby throughout the duration of the kidnap. Frank's scheme was discovered after he confided in an acquaintance.

According to reports, Frank had told the acquaintance that he was informed that the show host, Letterman, and his family would be visiting their Montana home. He also had access to the house where the baby slept.

The acquaintance quickly contacted the local police, informing them of the plot, and the following day, an unsuspecting Frank was arrested in the ranch while he was working.

Advertisement

Frank, who had had a brush with the law in 1999 for forcefully holding his girlfriend against her will, was charged with felony theft for overcharging the famous TV host for his work on his ranch.

Advertisement

Also, Frank was given a misdemeanor charge of obstruction for lying to an investigator about his failed plans alongside a felony solicitation charge. At the time, his bond was set at $600 000.

Advertisement

HIS FAMILY'S REACTION

Frank's father reportedly expressed shock over his son's arrest, noting that he could not imagine his son plotting such a crime. Also, Laurie Johnson, Frank's fiancée, came to his defense, remarking that he could not do a thing to hurt anyone.

She reportedly said her accused partner could have been joking when he opened up to his acquaintance. Frank's attorney also backed up the claim, adding that the accused did not harbor such thoughts even though he had such conversations with his friend.

Advertisement

SENTENCE AND PAROLE

After pleading guilty to the charges against him, Frank was sentenced to 10 years behind bars. Then, after serving for a while, Frank made headlines in 2007 for escaping with fellow inmate William Willcutt.

He was later caught and handed a further ten years sentence. Finally, in 2014, he got his first parole, but according to reports, he violated his parole, which landed him back in jail.

He was later granted second parole with the conditions stating that he goes through a minimum of six months in semi-restricted housing, no hunting activities and that he wears a GPS monitor for at least six months.

Advertisement

HIS RE-ARREST

More than a decade after his first arrest, Frank found it difficult to stay out of trouble and was later arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor assault. He reportedly threatened to kill an individual after a brief argument.

As for Letterman, in 2015, the iconic show host retired after 33 years and 6,000 late night episodes between NBC's Late Night and CBS's Late Show. Yet, he remains one of the most beloved show hosts of all time.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
info

news.AmoMama.com does not support or promote any kind of violence, self-harm, or abusive behavior. We raise awareness about these issues to help potential victims seek professional counseling and prevent anyone from getting hurt. news.AmoMama.com speaks out against the above mentioned and news.AmoMama.com advocates for a healthy discussion about the instances of violence, abuse, sexual misconduct, animal cruelty, abuse etc. that benefits the victims. We also encourage everyone to report any crime incident they witness as soon as possible.

Related posts

Newborn Baby Cries All Day No Matter What Parents Do, after a While They Check His Crib – Story of the Day

February 20, 2024

School Bus Driver Drops Boy in Wrong Town, He Calls Mom Saying 'I'm in a Dark, Dirty Room' – Story of the Day

February 20, 2024

Gallerist Lets in Homeless Old Lady, She Points at Canvas Saying 'It's My Work!' — Story of the Day

March 05, 2024

Inside Kathie Lee Gifford's Luxury Home That She Moved to after Her Husband's Death

January 11, 2024

Robert Joseph Gilliam Was Lisa Robin Kelly's 19 Year Older Husband - Facts about Him

November 08, 2023

School Bus Driver Drops Boy in Wrong Town, He Calls Mom Saying 'I'm in a Dark, Dirty Room' – Story of the Day

February 26, 2024

Country Singer Chris Young Arrested in Midtown Nashville after ‘Hostile’ Incident

January 23, 2024

Tom Selleck Reveals His Morning Tradition of Spoiling His Wife of 36 Years: ‘I’m Pretty Romantic'

January 31, 2024

'Curb Your Enthusiasm' Actor Richard Lewis Dies at Home – Cause of Death Revealed

March 04, 2024

'Curb Your Enthusiasm' Actor Richard Lewis Dies at Home – Cause of Death Revealed

February 28, 2024

Teenage Girl Vanishes, Reappears 10 Years Later on Family's Doorstep & Points Finger at Stepfather – Story of the Day

February 15, 2024

Matt LeBlanc Shunned Hollywood for a Cattle Ranch Yet Never Lost Connection with 'Brother' Matthew Perry

November 15, 2023

Nobody Knows Elderly Woman Had Been Living in Her Car For Years Until Neighbor Finds Out — Story of the Day

March 01, 2024

Frank Sinatra & His Daughter Didn't Talk for a Year – She Revealed His Last Apology before Death

December 21, 2023