COVENTRY, RI – A Rhode Island man has been sentenced to 45 years in prison after he targeted and kidnapped an 80-year-old woman in a case that authorities described as both harrowing and premeditated.

Steven Henning, 54, received his sentence this week after pleading guilty to a range of charges, including kidnapping, robbery, breaking and entering, and assault with a dangerous weapon. The charges stem from an incident last August, when prosecutors say Henning deliberately followed the woman home from a local fast-food restaurant after learning she lived on her own.

According to investigators, Henning chose his victim while she was at a Wendy’s in Coventry and proceeded to follow her to her residence. Once she arrived home, Henning forced his way into her house, launching what law enforcement officials described as a terrifying and violent ordeal.

Police reports indicate that Henning abducted the woman, forcing her into the trunk of his vehicle before driving her to a secluded wooded area in Smithfield, approximately 30 miles north of where the abduction began. Once there, he reportedly strangled her with a belt. Authorities said the woman survived by playing dead, convincing Henning to abandon her in the woods.

After Henning left, the 80-year-old managed to reach a nearby home, where she found help. Her quick thinking and resilience ultimately led to her rescue and played a key role in the subsequent police investigation.

The abduction triggered a multi-agency search, beginning when Smithfield police were alerted to a possible kidnapping around 8:15 a.m. on August 18, 2024. Investigators soon identified Henning as the primary suspect. When officers attempted to apprehend him, he led law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit before eventually being captured.

At sentencing, prosecutors detailed Henning’s motive, revealing that he sought to steal a vehicle that would not be reported missing. Authorities said he planned to use the car to travel to Ohio, where he intended to confront – and allegedly harm – his estranged girlfriend.

Law enforcement officials noted Henning’s extensive criminal record, which includes around two dozen arrests in Rhode Island. Prosecutors stated this history amplified the seriousness of the latest crimes, which were meticulously planned and ruthlessly executed.

The victim’s courage was widely praised by police, who described her as extraordinarily strong and resilient in the face of an ordeal “out of nightmares.” Authorities expressed hope that the lengthy prison sentence would provide some measure of relief for her and reassurance for the wider community.

Henning is expected to serve the entirety of his 45-year sentence in state prison. The case stands as a somber reminder of the determination and bravery required to survive and seek justice after a violent attack.