Background: The Candlewood Suites hotel in Indianapolis, Ind., where Robert Vanatta”s family fled on March 22, 2025 (Google Maps). Robert Vanatta (Johnson County Sheriff’s Office).
An Indiana man has been sentenced to two decades behind bars for forcibly abducting his family at gunpoint and threatening their lives.
Robert Vanatta, aged 30, received a sentence of 20 years in prison followed by a two-year probation period due to a domestic violence episode from the previous year. Court records reveal that Vanatta faced 14 felony charges, encompassing three counts of criminal confinement, four of intimidation, three of criminal recklessness, along with charges of strangulation, domestic battery in the presence of a minor under 16, and neglect of a dependent.
According to a statement shared by reporter Johnette Cruz, Johnson County Prosecuting Attorney Lance Hamner recounted how the ordeal began on March 22, 2025. Vanatta’s wife, their 5-year-old daughter, and her two teenage sons fled their Marion County home to escape his threats, only to be pursued to a Candlewood Suites hotel in Greenwood, Indiana.
As detailed in court documents obtained by NBC affiliate WTHR, Vanatta’s wife checked into the hotel with the children on the evening of March 22, 2025. She informed the hotel clerk of their situation, requesting that Vanatta not be notified of their presence. Despite her precautions, Vanatta arrived at the hotel shortly thereafter but was denied information by the clerk regarding his family’s whereabouts.
After Vanatta departed, his wife decided it was safe to leave with the children. Her 17-year-old son drove them away, but they soon encountered Vanatta’s returning truck. He rammed their vehicle off the road and confronted his teenage stepson, who was driving, before assaulting him. The boy recounted to police that Vanatta brandished a gun, forcing the family to abandon their vehicle and enter his truck.
Once inside, Vanatta physically assaulted his wife, hitting her in the face and causing her to hit her head against the window. He ominously warned his family, “I’ve got something for you when we get home.” One of the boys recorded the incident, capturing Vanatta’s threats, including, “I’m going to shoot every one of you.”
Believing that Vanatta was planning to kill them, the older teen started stabbing his stepfather with a box cutter. At some point, the wife got her hands on Vanatta’s gun and fired three or four warning shots to stop the fighting. Vanatta pulled over and let them out of the truck. After he drove away, the family ran back to the hotel to call the police.
After police caught up to Vanatta, he told them he “blacked out” during an argument with his stepson.
Vanatta was found guilty of all 14 charges against him following a trial that concluded on March 27. During the sentencing hearing on Thursday, Johnson County Circuit Court Judge Roesener commended the teenage boys for their bravery, saying their actions likely saved their whole family’s lives.
