What is an essential element of parental or relative kidnapping?

An essential element of parental or relative kidnapping is that the child must be under 18 years old. This age criterion establishes the legal definition of a child in the context of kidnapping laws, as minors are afforded certain protections that adults are not. Kidnapping statutes generally safeguard individuals under 18, acknowledging their vulnerability and the legal rights of their guardians or parents over their custody.

When it comes to the other options, being in a public place is not a requirement for parental or relative kidnapping; such acts can certainly occur in private locations. The relationship of the suspect to the child is not strictly confined to being a distant relative; any parent or close relative could potentially be involved. Lastly, while a legal claim to the child may influence the situation or consequential legal outcomes, it is not a defining factor of the crime itself. Hence, the primary focus remains on the age of the child in defining the nature of parental or relative kidnapping.