Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity Verdict Found in Fayette County Case

A man charged in Fayette County with kidnapping has been found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Information regarding 40-year-old Scott Harper of Millstadt was presented in a bench trial Tuesday before Judge Allan Lolie. The judge ruled that Harper will be evaluated by the Illinois Department of Mental Health. A hearing on those findings is set for June 17.

In addition to kidnapping, Harper was charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer, theft, reckless conduct and resisting a peace officer. The charges stem from an incident that occurred in April of 2023. A Vandalia police officer spotted a vehicle being driven by Harper that had been stolen from the parking lot of a Vandalia convenience store. A two-year-old child was inside the car.

After a pursuit along eastbound Interstate 70 that reached speeds of up to 120MPH in a construction zone, officers were able to block the vehicle at the weigh station near Brownstown. Harper was taken into custody and the child was reunited with their father.