Teens Kidnapped At Knife Point

Kentucky State Police were called to a resident on Four Chaplins Lane in Meade County Thursday after at stabbing had been reported.

Upon arrival, a 17 year old female was located with a stab wound to the palm of her hand. During and interview, the 17 year old reported she and her 16 year old sister were both kidnapped at knife point by an ex-boyfriend, 18 year old John Gaskins of Radcliff, in the driveway of their residence on Fentress Boulevard in Hardin County as they were walking to their car.

Gaskins cut both the 16 and 17 year old females with a knife and forced them to get into the trunk of the 17 year olds vehicle, a 2004 Honda Civic. 

Gaskin then took the victim’s vehicle and drove to a cabin in Meade County where he forced the female juveniles to go inside. Once inside, Gaskin used a rope to bind each victim’s hands behind their back and tied each to a chair.

In an attempt to save her sister, the 16 year old agreed to leave with Gaskin and drive to Pennsylvania.

Gaskin agreed and left the residence in the Honda Civic, taking the 16 year old with him.

The 17 year old was left alone inside the residence, still bound to the chair. The 17 year old managed to get free and ran to a neighbor’s residence where she called 911 to report the incident.

Gaskin’s phone number was obtained and a cell phone ping was requested. Gaskin’s phone was located heading North on I-71. At almost the same time, a vehicle collision was reported near the 64 mile marker exit on I-71 involving the victim’s vehicle.

Gallatin County and Kentucky State Police units were sent to the location of the collision were Gaskin and the 16 year old female were located.

Gaskin was detained by uniformed officers on scene and transported back to Kentucky State Police Post 4 where he was later interviewed.

The 16 year-old victim was transported to Kentucky State Police Post 5 where she was met by her parents.

Both victims suffered minor injuries and received treatment.

John Gaskin was lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center and charged with two counts of Kidnapping, two counts of Assault 2nd Degree, one count of Theft by Unlawful Taking Auto, two counts of Unlawful Imprisonment 2nd Degree, and one count of Burglary 2nd Degree.

The case remains under investigation by Kentucky State Police Post 4.