Experts say abductions for ransom are rare, despite the prevalence of dramatic hostage crises on television. But the apparent kidnapping of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother has raised questions about how law enforcement handles hostage negotiations in real life,

“Today” show host Savannah Guthrie pleaded for the public’s help at “an hour of desperation” in the search for her missing mother as the family’s latest attempts to reach the abductors failed to yield...

The FBI, who referred questions to the sheriff’s department, released surveillance images of a masked person with a handgun holster outside the front door on the night Nancy Guthrie vanished, offering...