A six-year-old boy was allegedly subjected to a terrifying kidnapping ordeal by his own family, as they were concerned he was being “too nice to strangers.”

The boys’ grandmother, mother, aunt and a 23-year-old man, are accused of staging the kidnapping, during which authorities allege the boy was told he would be sold into “sex slavery” and tied up, NBC News reports.

The Missouri Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office say the boy’s aunt, Denise Kroutil, 38, arranged for her co-worker, 23 year old Natahn Wynn Firoved, to stage the kidnapping. The sheriff claims the boy’s mother and grandmother were aware of the scheme and agreed with it.

On Monday, Firoved allegedly kidnapped the boy as he was getting off the school bus. Firoved told the six-year-old he would never “see his mommy again,” authorities say.

Firoved showed the boy a handgun, drove him around in his truck and then tied him up, covering his face with a jacket when the child wouldn’t stop crying.

The sheriff’s office says the child was then taken to his aunt’s house, while blindfolded. His aunt removed his trousers and told the boy he might be sold “into sex slavery”. Finally, the boy was lectured about the dangers of speaking with strangers. The entire ordeal lasted four hours.

The sheriff’s office say the boy was “terrorized” by the experience.

All four have been charged with felony kidnapping and child abuse. They are in custody, with bail set at $250,000.