Julia, 58, and Lemuel Hardison Redd, 61, were read the second-degree felony charges in 4th District Court on Thursday.

The charges allege the couple took their daughter, BYU student Julianna Redd, against her will to Grand Junction, Colo., on Aug. 4 to dissuade her from marrying Perry Myers, also a BYU student, of New Braunfels, Texas.

The parents left with Julianna at 11 a.m. that day, supposedly to go shopping, but after the three didn't return that evening for the dinner they were supposed to have had with the groom's family, Myers called police.

Julianna persuaded her parents to drive her back, promising she wouldn't contact Perry, but they arrived after the wedding was supposed to take place, according to police reports. The couple married three days later without Julianna's parents attending.

"This is a difficult circumstance, with a young woman at odds with her mother and father," said Utah County Attorney Kay Bryson.

He said he has been talking frequently with Perry and Julianna and that he made sure they understood what would ensue if they pressed charges.

Bryson said he chose to prosecute the case himself because he "felt like it was going to draw some attention" and wanted it handled as sensitively as possible.

The case has attracted coverage from national news media. Upon leaving the courtroom Thursday the Redds were mobbed by about a dozen TV and newspaper photographers and reporters. Amid flashes and boom mikes, they repeatedly declined to comment.

The Redds aren't comfortable with the onslaught of media attention, said their attorney, Gregory Skordas.

"These people are farmers from southern Utah, and they have never committed a crime," Skordas told reporters. "These are concerned parents who felt they were exercising their rights as parents and their duties as parents."

Skordas maintained his clients don't believe they committed a crime and said they don't plan to plead guilty. He said he hoped the case wouldn't go to trial.

Neither Perry nor Julianna attended court Thursday. Bryson said they are "absolutely" prepared to testify, if necessary.

If convicted, the Redds could face up to 15 years in prison.

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*Send comments about this story to reporter STEPHEN HUNT at shunt@sltrib.com.

The case so far

Lemuel and Julia Redd pick up their daughter in Provo on Aug. 4, ostensibly to go shopping on the eve of her wedding. They drive instead to Grand Junction, Colo., where they try to dissuade her from marrying Perry Myers.

The bride-to-be, Julianna Redd, alleges she was taken against her will, and prosecutors file 2nd-degree felony kidnapping charges.

The parents make their first appearance in court on Thursday. A status hearing on the case is set for Nov. 30. Julianna Redd and Perry Myers have since exchanged vows.