‘Criminal Minds’ Season 14 Episode 12 Air Date, Spoilers, News & Update: Upcoming Episode Inspired by Altmayer Case?

“Criminal Minds” Season 14 Episode 12 will be dealing with yet another kidnapping case, this time in Iowa and concerns the disappearance of three 10-year-old boys. The only lead of the BAU will be footage taken from a surveillance camera at a neighborhood park that happened to get a glimpse of the kidnapping.

While the disappearance involved young boys in “Criminal Minds” Season 14 Episode 12, it’s quite reminiscent of the Iowa case that occurred a few years ago. To keep it brief, the investigation revolved around a man named Jeff Lee Altmayer who tried abducting 19 girls across multiple counties. He was ultimately caught in the end but not before sexually abusing two of his victims.

Altmayer was driving around on a silver car and would lure his victims with a promise of $100 if they helped him with a certain “task.” On Nov. 16, 2016, one of his victims refused his offer and quickly reported the incident to her mom. Fortunately, one of the neighbors, one Austin Kirkpatrick, was visiting the household. The 22-year-old made a snap decision and decided to follow Altmayer while he called the police; the chase ending with Altmayer wearing handcuffs. It’s still unclear whether or not “Criminal Minds” Season 14 Episode 12 is inspired by this incident but there are a few key factors that are similar.

The upcoming case occurred in Iowa. It involved the kidnapping of minors. And the disappearances indicated that no force was used in their abduction – all of which mirrors the Altmayer case. There’s also the fact that showrunner Erica Messer said that most of the story portrayed in the show is lifted from real incidents investigated by the FBI. It would be interesting to see if “Criminal Minds” Season 14 Episode 12 will have more similarities to the Altmayer incident. As for when it’s going to be released, it’s scheduled to air on Jan. 9.