Utah Mom Charged After Allegedly Kidnapping Child's Bully

Shannon Tufuga accused of forcing 11-year-old boy into car and threatening him

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:18am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 40-year-old Utah woman has been criminally charged months after she allegedly kidnapped an 11-year-old boy she believed was bullying her child and threatened him, forcing the boy into her car and taking him to her home where she said her husband would 'beat him up'.

Why it matters

The case highlights the growing issue of parents taking matters into their own hands when it comes to dealing with bullying, which can lead to serious criminal charges and further traumatize the children involved.

The details

According to authorities, on September 17, Shannon Tufuga forced the 11-year-old boy into her car after he allegedly said something rude to her child, who had been 'bothering' the boy for the past two years. Tufuga then drove the boy to her Provo home and told him he was going to have her husband assault him, also saying he was 'lucky' she didn't run him over while he was riding his bike.

  • On September 17, Tufuga allegedly kidnapped the 11-year-old boy.
  • Tufuga was criminally charged on Monday, months after the alleged incident.

The players

Shannon Tufuga

A 40-year-old Utah woman who was criminally charged for allegedly kidnapping an 11-year-old boy she believed was bullying her child.

The 11-year-old boy

The child that Tufuga allegedly kidnapped and threatened.

The boy's mother

The mother of the 11-year-old boy, who said Tufuga's child had a crush on her son and had been 'bothering' him for the past two years.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“They basically opened their door and told him to get the eff out, and he ran all the way home, she said. 'He came in, and he was just hysterical and said, 'Mom, I just got kidnapped!'”

— The boy's mother

“One day he got fed up with the fact that she doesn't leave him alone”

— The boy's mother

“She didn't care what happened to him, [and] that she'd do it again.”

— The boy's mother

What’s next

Tufuga is not currently in custody, but a summons has been issued ordering her to appear in court to face charges of kidnapping and aggravated child abuse.

The takeaway

This case highlights the dangers of parents taking matters into their own hands when it comes to dealing with perceived bullying, as it can lead to serious criminal charges and further traumatize the children involved. It underscores the importance of schools, law enforcement, and mental health professionals working together to address bullying in a constructive and lawful manner.