13-Year-Old Boy Faces Charge Of Lewd Conduct Police Arrest Boy For Allegedly Molesting 4-Year-Old

Spirit Lake police arrested a 13-year-old boy on a charge of lewd conduct Monday after he allegedly molested a 4-year-old boy.

The teenager, who is mentally retarded, is being held at the juvenile detention center in Coeur d’Alene.

The boy apparently had been staying at a foster home in Spirit Lake until he could be placed in a treatment facility, said Barry Black, Kootenai County deputy prosecutor.

The family he was staying with has a 4-year-old son. The teen allegedly pulled down the boy’s pants on Monday and fondled the youngster, said Officer James Cotter.

Aside from inappropriate touching, the teen did not physically harm the younger boy in any way, Black said.

The boy’s mother and grandmother reported the incident to police.

County officials will evaluate whether the criminal charge is appropriate.

“If he can’t understand the nature of the proceedings against him, we have to take that into consideration,” Black said.

The boy will remain in the detention center unless another suitable and safe placement can be found, Black said.

“We have to give it the appropriate response and not overreact,” Black said. But “We obviously have to protect the community.”

, DataTimes