Man who kidnapped 5-year-old girl in Phoenix on Christmas Day gets 30-year prison sentence

Man gets prison term for Phoenix girl abduction

PHOENIX — A man who pleaded guilty to kidnapping and molesting a young girl in Phoenix last Christmas Day has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Maricopa County prosecutors say 46-year-old Larry Jon Ladwig was sentenced Friday to prison without the possibility of parole plus two lifetime probation terms.

They say Ladwig pleaded guilty June 15 to kidnapping, sexual conduct with a minor, attempted child molestation, attempted sexual exploitation of a minor and aggravated assault.

Authorities say Ladwig snatched the girl from in front of her aunt’s north Phoenix apartment. The child was playing with her sisters and was climbing a tree when Ladwig grabbed her and threw her into his truck.

Ladwig was later captured by police and the girl was rescued after a high-speed chase.