18-year-old charged with rape, kidnapping after allegedly hiding in minor’s bedroom for days

BLUFFDALE, Utah (ABC4) — The 18-year-old who was allegedly hiding in a victim’s bedroom for days before running away with her has received 22 charges connected to the crime.

Ryker Buxton, 18 (turning 19 next month), was charged with the following:

• Three counts of rape of a child (first-degree felony)
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• Three counts of object rape of a child (first-degree felony)
• Three counts of sodomy upon a child (first-degree felony)
• One count of child kidnapping (first-degree felony)
• Five counts of sexual abuse of a child (second-degree felony)
• One count of burglary of a dwelling (second-degree felony)
• Six counts of unlawful kissing of a child (Class A misdemeanor)

According to the arrest statement, on Sept. 8, 2025, officers with the Bluffdale Police Department responded to a report of trespassing. When they arrived, the family of a 12-year-old girl reported that she had secretly allowed an 18-year-old — later identified as Buxton — into their home, where he had been staying for 10 days. Buxton was removed from the premises.

The following week, on Sept. 15, the victim’s family contacted the police again to report that their 12-year-old daughter had run away, and they suspected she was with Buxton. The two were found the following day in Provo, documents say.

During an interview with police, Buxton allegedly explained that he and the underage victim had been in a “relationship” for two or three months. According to documents, he admitted to visiting the victim multiple times and that their “relationship” had “deepened” through the visits.

On one occasion, Buxton described that he had inappropriately touched the 12-year-old victim and exposed himself to her. That day, a family member of the victim kicked him out and told him not to come back. According to documents, this is when Buxton says that they “began dating.”

Three weeks after being kicked out, documents say, Buxton returned to the residence. He told police he “was living in their house for 10 days and they had no idea.” Documents say that Buxton recounted sexual acts between himself and the underage victim that had occurred over those 10 days.

During the interview, Buxton also told police that the child was “legally 12 but has the body of a 25-year-old,” and that he loved her and they had discussed having a child together.

After Buxton was discovered and made to leave the residence, he allegedly got into contact with the 12-year-old, and they started making plans to “leave the area.” The two discussed going to California or Ogden, and Buxton said their goal was to “cross state lines, change their names, and start a new life.”

The 12-year-old snuck out of her home in the early morning hours and met with Buxton in Salt Lake City, according to his interview with police. They spent the next couple of days on the Frontrunner, traveling between different stops, including Provo and Ogden. Buxton allegedly admitted to sexually abusing the minor again during this time together.

Buxton and the underage victim were eventually located in Utah County, and he was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County jail, where he is being held without bail.