Utah man in prison for 20 years still won't apologize to child kidnapping victims

SALT LAKE CITY — Kevin Ramey Blanke has been in the Utah State Prison for over 20 years.

In 2003, Blanke, now 69, was sentenced to serve up to life in prison for a conviction of attempted child kidnapping, a first-degree felony. Several months later, he was sentenced to an additional term of one to 15 years in prison on a kidnapping conviction for a 1997 incident that he was linked to after his arrest.

Both victims in his kidnapping cases were children.

Despite having his case reviewed numerous times over the years in appeals and his convictions and sentences upheld, his victims say he has never accepted responsibility for his crimes or directly apologized to them.

His latest parole hearing on Thursday was no different.

Rather than apologize to the victims, Blanke seemed more interested in disputing his latest psychosexual evaluation, saying he doesn't trust the program and claiming there is some kind of conflict of interest.

Jenny Galvez was 15 when she was kidnapped and raped by Blanke in 1997. But because of the statute of limitation at that time on a rape charge in Utah, he was not charged with that crime. The law has since been changed.

Then in 2002, Blanke kidnapped 6-year-old Isabelle Siwik, the daughter of Shane Siwki who at that time was a member of the South Salt Lake City Council. Isabelle's kidnapping came just eight days after Elizabeth Smart disappeared, prompting high interest from the community and the media.

Blanke led Isabelle away from a park. She was found that night. He claimed he had good intentions, but pleaded guilty to attempted child kidnapping.

During his subsequent parole hearings over the years, however, Blanke has not made any apologies to his child victims.

"This still affects me to this day in many ways. He hasn't ever taken accountability over the years. I feel like he's only sorry he got caught," Galvez said at Blanke's latest parole hearing Thursday at the Utah State Prison. "I was barely 15. I didn't ask for it. I didn't deserve it."

Galvez says even today, "Sometimes I will get something triggered in me and scare me, and I'll just feel unsafe, like walking a trail in the daytime.

"I shouldn't have to feel that way and it's not fair," she said. "It's a really awful feeling."

Galvez has been to all of Blanke's hearings and says she will continue to attend any future hearing that is scheduled.

"I still feel scared, but I'm never going to keep quiet about it," she said.

Shane Siwik also addressed the board Thursday. He says Blanke apologized to him and his wife after his arrest.

"However, as time has gone on, he's never apologized to Jenny. His defiance over the years has been amazing to watch," he said. "Why has he never accepted responsibility for Jenny? I think that speaks volumes to his progress or lack thereof."

After the family gave their comments, Scott Manning, who conducted Thursday's hearing, asked Blanke if he'd like to respond.

"First thing I want to talk about is the psychosexual evaluation," Blanke began.

Manning then stopped Blanke and again asked if he'd first like to respond to the comments of the families.

"I apologize to Isabelle's parents. At the time I couldn't believe the pain and heartache they felt; that wasn't my intention," he said. "Had I any evil intentions, then why would I make sure she made it home safe? ... My intention wasn't kidnapping, in general.

"With Jennifer, I can feel her pain and her suffering. I have peace and love in my heart for everyone in this room," he continued.

When pressed if he'd like to directly apologize to the child victims, Blanke instead claimed that witness statements collected during the investigations did not match.

"I'm not being defiant, sir," he insisted.

"You want to offer an apology?" Manning again pressed.

"I'm just not that person, is what I'm saying," Blanke responded.

When the conversation moved on to his most recent psychosexual evaluation, Blanke said he did not agree with the opinions and recommendations in his report. Because of his conviction of attempted child kidnapping, Blanke is required to register with the Utah Sex Offender and Kidnap Registry.

Despite his opposition to the report, Blanke said he is willing to complete sex offender treatment, but would prefer to do it with a private company outside the prison.

"I have a conflict of interest, and I don't trust the program," he said of the Department of Corrections program.

At the end of the hearing, Manning tried to summarize what Blanke was telling him by asking Blanke if he was saying that there was no criminal intent of committing sexual behavior with either of his victims.

"Not by me," he said.

When asked what he meant by that, Blanke said, "I don't match the description; my truck doesn't match the description."

Manning noted that he had received letters both in favor and opposition of Blanke being granted parole, and that he had family members present at the hearing in support of him.

When asked if he had any final comments, Blanke said, "I don't think I have that many good years left … so I'd like to spend them with family if at all possible, peacefully."

The full five-member board is expected to reach a decision within two to four weeks whether to grant parole.

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