Estranged husband kidnaps LaPorte family at gunpoint

Larimer County Sheriff’s Office deputies have arrested Danny Shane Dutton of LaPorte on numerous felony charges including kidnapping.

At approximately 9:50 a.m. on July 20, Larimer County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators were called by a 45-year-old LaPorte woman who claimed she and her children had been assaulted and kidnapped at gunpoint by her estranged husband Danny Dutton.

The woman told investigators that at 5:30 a.m. she was awoken by the sounds of someone entering her home. She discovered it was her estranged husband Danny Dutton. After being discovered in the home, Dutton physically assaulted the woman and then threatened her with a weapon. Some of this was observed by her 15-year-old son who was also assaulted and threatened with the weapon when he tried to intervene on his mother’s behalf. A 7-year-old daughter was also present in the home.

Dutton then allegedly forced the family into a vehicle and drove them to northwest Larimer County. Upon arriving in this sparsely-populated mountainous area, Dutton stepped out of the car and walked away. The family was able to return to Fort Collins in the vehicle and contact deputies.

Dutton was found hitchhiking in Larimer County several hours later and was arrested for three counts of 2nd degree kidnapping, two counts of 2nd degree assault, three counts of felony menacing, three counts of false imprisonment, possession of a weapon by a previous offender, two counts of child abuse, obstruction of telephone service and domestic violence.

The woman and her 15-year-old son were treated by paramedics for their injuries and released.

Danny Dutton is being held at the Larimer County Jail pending a bond hearing.