After a Santa Clarita Valley man kidnapped a 3-year-old from her Newhall bedroom last week, officials at KHTS AM 1220 are hosting a special show to discuss how to keep your family safe.
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Alex Urbina, host of “Life Coaching with Alex Urbina,” will lead the special broadcast show, scheduled to air Tuesday from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
“We’re going to discuss the abduction as well as how to protect our families from being victims of a kidnapping or other crime,” Urbina said.
Listen to KHTS AM 1220 LIVE here
Guests on the special broadcast include a private investigator, an Adage IT representative who will talk about surveillance cameras and Deputy Josh Dubin of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.
“Sometimes we get relaxed when we live in a community where, comparative to other communities, crimes aren’t happening as often,” Urbina said. “It’s easy to be relaxed and not aware that there are people out there who are living amongst us, who are struggling and making those negative decisions. All you have to do is turn your back for a second.
“Tune in because it could open up some possibilities you weren’t thinking. We wanted everyone to be aware about things in our community so we can prepare for anything that may happen.”
Background On Newhall Kidnapping — Santa Clarita Kidnapping Suspect Has Lengthy Record
Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies arrested a Santa Clarita kidnapping suspect Thursday who had 12 previous convictions, according to court records.
Ethan Odom, 37, of Santa Clarita, was arrested at gunpoint for allegedly kidnapping a 3-year-old girl from her house on the 24200 block of Arch Street in Newhall.
“Deputies are on scene investigating a kidnapping where a male adult allegedly kidnapped a 3-year-old from a house,” said Deputy Josh Dubin with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station on Thursday night around 8:30 p.m. “The 3-year-old is unharmed and has been returned to the family. (Odom) is in custody.”
The alleged abduction, which took place on Arch Street, near the intersection of 5th and Race streets, was reported at 7 p.m.
Odom allegedly grabbed the 3-year-old girl by reaching through a bedroom window.
Odom then allegedly ran down the street holding the girl.
Family members chased the suspect and were able to regain custody of the girl, as deputies worked to set up a containment of the area.
Initial reports indicate Odom did not know the victim or the victim’s family.
Odom’s rap sheet dates back to 2001, according to online court records, starting with a petty theft conviction on Aug. 28, 2001. In June 2002, he has a theft-related conviction for a violation of penal code section 666.
In November 2003, Odom was convicted on a fraud charge, California Penal Code section 470(A).
In 2004, he was convicted on two counts of drug possession. In 2006, he was convicted on a public intoxication charge.
In 2007, he was convicted of another violation of section 666, a theft-related charge, and then in October 2007, there was another theft-related conviction for a violation of 484(a) in the California Penal Code.
In June 2008, he was convicted of driving under the influence. Four months later, Odom was convicted of driving with a license suspended due to a DUI conviction in October 2008.
In May 2011, Odom was convicted of receiving stolen property, 496(b).
In September 2013, he was convicted of a public intoxication charge 647(f).
On Nov. 3, 2014, prosecutors filed a 666(a) charge, which used to be a felony conviction with a mandatory state prison sentence. Prior to Proposition 47, a defendant would be charged with 666(a) if he or she had at least three prior petty theft convictions.
However, Proposition 47 eliminated the 666(a) charge and Odom was convicted of a misdemeanor petty theft charge [484(a)] on Nov. 24.
In that case, he was sentenced to a petty theft charge for stealing from Cafe 70s, and he was sentenced to 25 days in jail.
Odom is due in San Fernando court on Monday. He’s being held in lieu of $150,000 bail.
Deputies are asking if you have any additional information regarding this incident, or if you witnessed this incident to please call the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station as soon as possible at 661-255-1121. If you would like to remain anonymous, please call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.