Defendant Sentenced After Pleading Guilty to Kidnapping 10-Year-Old Girl in Thornton

Brighton, CO – District Attorney Brian Mason announced today that Diego Gettler, 30, has been sentenced following his guilty plea in connection with the 2022 kidnapping of a 10-year-old girl outside STEM Launch in Thornton. 

On the morning of September 23, 2022, Gettler, dressed in all black and wearing a mask, approached the young victim shortly after she was dropped off at school. He forcibly grabbed the girl and attempted to restrain her in what appeared to be an attempted abduction. The child bravely fought back, pulling down the mask he was wearing, which startled Gettler and caused him to flee the scene on foot. The victim ran to the school doors for help, and staff quickly responded. 

Surveillance footage from the school and surrounding areas captured critical moments before, during, and after the attack. The footage showed Gettler’s vehicle—a 2008 Saturn Aura—circling the area before parking nearby. He was then seen approaching the school, walking toward the girl, and ultimately committing the attack. He fled the scene after the victim resisted, stumbling as he ran back to his vehicle. 

Following an extensive investigation by the Thornton Police Department, authorities identified Gettler as the suspect after someone who knew him came forward to police, recognizing both him and his vehicle from news reports. Investigators later tracked his car using GPS data, leading to his arrest in Parker on September 26, 2022. 

On January 9, 2025, Gettler pleaded guilty to Second-Degree Kidnapping (F4), as originally charged, for the 2022 attack and Second-Degree Assault of a Peace Officer in an unrelated case from April 2022. Adams County District Court Judge Stephen Howard sentenced Gettler to eight years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. When the crime occurred, the Defendant was on bond for four criminal matters in Jefferson and Adams Counties. Gettler's only criminal convictions at that time were for misdemeanor Criminal Mischief and Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Injury. The defendant now has three misdemeanor convictions for 3rd Degree Assault, and convictions for Harassment and Second Degree Assault on a Peace Officer - Heat of Passion (F6). 

“The defendant’s actions here were truly unspeakable and outrageous,” said District Attorney Brian Mason. “We can only imagine the evil intent this man had were he to have fully succeeded in completing his plan.  Thankfully, this young girl’s courage and quick thinking won the day.   Her strength, along with the relentless dedication of law enforcement, helped secure accountability for this defendant’s dangerous crime.” 

The prosecution of the case was led by Senior Deputy District Attorney Natalie Scarpella.  
 

Surveillance Footage of the Attack: 
KidnappingSurveillanceFootage.mp4

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