Man who Kidnapped His Children and Led Authorities on Motorhome Pursuit Sentenced

A man who was arrested in Barstow after kidnapping his two children and fleeing from law enforcement in a motorhome was sentenced to over 88 years in prison.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s officials said that Steven Merle Houk, 48, was pleaded no contest to failing to register as a sex offender prior to his trial. Houk was found guilty by a jury for two counts each of kidnapping, child abuse, injuring a spouse, and child detention. He was also convicted of one count each of assault with a firearm, criminal threats, fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s motor vehicle and possession of a firearm by a felon.

On May 1, 2018, Houk assaulted the mother of his children in the family’s RV, which was parked in Malibu. He also threatened to kill her and he pointed a handgun at her. The children, a 10-month-old and a 3-year-old woke up to witness the attack on their mother. 

Houk drove away and went to a Santa Clarita coffee house where he made the mother of his children panhandle. She eventually told someone she needed help and they called authorities. When deputies arrived, Houk fled with the children leading deputies on a pursuit. Houk parked the motorhome in Bakersfield and fled, leaving the small children behind. Houk was later found in Barstow and was arrested.

The children were unharmed and were returned to their mother.

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