Man arrested for allegedly kidnapping 13-year-old girl, running over brother with car

TAYLORSVILLE — An 18-year-old man was taken into custody by police on Saturday for allegedly kidnapping a 13-year-old girl.

According to probable cause, the girl's parents told police that Joseph Genovez had their daughter in a vehicle. And despite their pleas, Genovez refused to let the girl out of the vehicle. The probable cause statement further states that Genovez put the vehicle in drive and ran over the girl's older brother with the vehicle.

Genovez later told police he was driving her home from Kearns Oval Arena. When he arrived at the home, the victim's family greeted him outside.

The brother was taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries, then was transported to a larger hospital due to the severity of his injuries.

The girl was later found. In the presence of her mother, she was questioned by the police. The probable cause statement also said the mother was informed that Genovez allegedly sexually assaulted the girl.

Placed in police custody

Genovez was later arrested at a location in West Valley City by West Valley police.

After Miranda rights, Genovez admitted he knew the girl was a minor, according to the probable cause statement.

Genovez said that instead of letting the girl get out of the vehicle, he became afraid and decided to flee the scene. He also admitted to hitting an individual with his vehicle, but he feared that the male victim was armed.

The probable cause statement said the boy only had a cell phone on him at the time.

Additionally, the suspect admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with the girl for two to three weeks.

Genovez was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of rape of a child; aggravated assault; child abduction and failure to remain at the scene of an accident resulting in serious injury.