‘Girl in the Box’ kidnapper could be released after California civil trial

The infamous “Girl in the Box” kidnapper was in court Thursday for the start of a civil trial to determine whether he should be designated a sexually violent predator.Cameron Hooker was sentenced in the 1980s to more than 100 years in prison for kidnapping Colleen Stan, holding her captive as a sex slave, and keeping her in a wooden box under his bed for seven years.If Hooker is designated a sexually violent predator, he would be sent to a locked state hospital. If not, he could be released under supervision on parole.The state filed a petition in 2020 seeking Hooker’s civil commitment.Hooker abducted Stan in 1977. She escaped from his Red Bluff home in 1984 with help from Hooker’s wife, leading to his arrest.Court records show the state filed its petition in November 2020, arguing that Hooker met the legal definition of a sexually violent predator under California law.The filing cited a recommendation from the Department of State Hospitals and two supporting clinical evaluations.Prosecutors said Hooker posed a danger to others and was likely to engage in sexually violent, predatory criminal behavior. They sought his indefinite civil commitment ahead of his scheduled March 2021 release date.The trial was moved to San Mateo County due to public attention to the case. Jury selection is set to begin on May 18.This article was written with help from ABC affiliate KRCR.

SAN MATEO COUNTY, Calif. —

The infamous “Girl in the Box” kidnapper was in court Thursday for the start of a civil trial to determine whether he should be designated a sexually violent predator.

Cameron Hooker was sentenced in the 1980s to more than 100 years in prison for kidnapping Colleen Stan, holding her captive as a sex slave, and keeping her in a wooden box under his bed for seven years.

If Hooker is designated a sexually violent predator, he would be sent to a locked state hospital. If not, he could be released under supervision on parole.

The state filed a petition in 2020 seeking Hooker’s civil commitment.

Hooker abducted Stan in 1977. She escaped from his Red Bluff home in 1984 with help from Hooker’s wife, leading to his arrest.

Court records show the state filed its petition in November 2020, arguing that Hooker met the legal definition of a sexually violent predator under California law.

The filing cited a recommendation from the Department of State Hospitals and two supporting clinical evaluations.

Prosecutors said Hooker posed a danger to others and was likely to engage in sexually violent, predatory criminal behavior. They sought his indefinite civil commitment ahead of his scheduled March 2021 release date.

The trial was moved to San Mateo County due to public attention to the case. Jury selection is set to begin on May 18.

This article was written with help from ABC affiliate KRCR.