Texas Reports One of the Largest Increases in Kidnapping and Abduction Incidents, Analysis Finds

TEXAS (TXAN 24) — A new analysis of FBI Crime Data Explorer figures shows Texas recorded 4,390 kidnapping and abduction incidents between May 2025 and April 2026, marking a 6.3% year-over-year increase and ranking the state among the highest nationally in both total volume and growth.

The report places Texas second in overall incident volume and sixth among states experiencing increases while the national total declined 4.84% to 52,247 incidents.

Texas also posted a net gain of 262 incidents year-over-year, identified as the third-largest absolute increase in the country, trailing only Arizona and California.

Nationally, just 10 states saw increases in kidnapping and abduction cases during the reporting period. Leading the list was Arizona, which saw a 59.9% surge, followed by smaller increases in Nebraska, Iowa, Florida, New Jersey, Texas, New Hampshire, Mississippi, California, and Tennessee.

According to the analysis by Ladah Law, Texas remains a major contributor to national totals due to population size, but the upward trend contrasts with the broader national decline.

The findings highlight regional variation in violent crime trends, with some large states seeing modest increases while others reported declines.

The data underscores a split national pattern: while overall kidnapping and abduction incidents fell, several populous states—including Texas—continued to experience upward pressure on reported cases during the same period.

The report notes its figures are derived from FBI Crime Data Explorer datasets and reflect reported incidents rather than adjudicated outcomes.