LOGAN — A 44-year-old Providence father is in jail, accused of child kidnapping, endangerment, and other drug and alcohol offenses. Jason W. Griffin was booked into the Cache County Jail Friday afternoon.
Cache County Sheriff’s Lt. Doyle Peck said investigators believe Griffin had been hosting parties for minor females at his home. He allegedly bought the 12 and 13-year-old girls alcohol, marijuana and e-cigarette machines. The girls were all apparent acquaintances of the suspect.
Investigators claim that Griffin later gave one of the girls a cellphone, after she was grounded by her parents. He later helped her escape by driving her in his car, while she was being tended by her grandparents.
Peck explained that investigators don’t believe Griffin took the girl unwillingly. Under Utah Law though, because he transported the girl without the consent of her parents, it is considered child kidnapping and endangerment.
“We don’t know if Griffin is a creep or just thought he was trying to be a ‘cool dad,’” said Peck.
Griffin is being held in jail on almost $58,000 bond. He is expected to be arraigned in 1st District Court Monday afternoon.