In a deeply disturbing case out of Rhode Island, a 54-year-old man has been sentenced to 45 years in prison after kidnapping and trying to kill an elderly woman he followed home from a Wendy’s. The woman’s strength and quick thinking not only saved her life but also helped bring her attacker to justice.
Targeted After Wendy’s Visit
According to prosecutors, Steven Henning spotted the 80-year-old woman at a Wendy’s and followed her to her home in Coventry, a quiet suburb of Providence. He later admitted that he chose her because she lived alone and, in his words, “would not be missed.”
After forcing his way into her house, Henning kidnapped the woman and shoved her into the trunk of his car. He then drove nearly 30 miles north to a wooded area in Smithfield, where he attempted to strangle her with a belt.
Believing her only chance was to play dead, the woman pretended to stop breathing — a move that may have saved her life. Henning left her in the woods, and once he was gone, she managed to escape and ran to a nearby house for help.
Rescue and Arrest
At 8:15 a.m. on August 18, 2024, Smithfield police received a call about a possible abduction. Authorities quickly identified Henning as the suspect and attempted to arrest him, but he led them on a high-speed chase before finally being taken into custody.
Court records show that Henning pleaded guilty in June 2025 to several serious charges, including:
Kidnapping
Robbery
Assault with a dangerous weapon
Breaking and entering of a person 60 years or older
He was sentenced on Friday to 45 years in prison.
Chilling Motive Revealed
During the sentencing, prosecutors revealed Henning’s terrifying motive. He was trying to get to Ohio in a car that wouldn’t be reported stolen. To do that, he wanted to kill someone who wouldn’t be missed — and the elderly woman became his target.
His plan didn’t end there. Once in Ohio, Henning reportedly intended to kill his estranged girlfriend. Fortunately, he was caught before he could carry out any further violence.
Henning’s criminal record includes nearly two dozen prior arrests in Rhode Island.
A Community’s Hero
Despite enduring a terrifying ordeal, the elderly victim showed extraordinary bravery. Police praised her actions, saying, “What she went through is the stuff nightmares are made from… and yet, she is probably the strongest and bravest person our detectives have ever met.”
Her quick thinking — especially pretending to be dead — likely saved her life and played a major role in making sure Henning would never harm another person again.
This case serves as a reminder of the dangers that vulnerable members of our society face — and the strength it takes to survive them. Thanks to one woman’s courage and determination, a violent repeat offender is behind bars for what will likely be the rest of his life.
As the community breathes a sigh of relief, police and prosecutors continue to highlight the victim’s bravery and resilience as a shining example of hope in the face of evil.
