Man Arrested For Alleged Drowning Attempt

Tue., Aug. 11, 1998

From Staff

An argument at a popular swimming hole landed a 21-year-old Rathdrum, Idaho, man in jail after he allegedly threatened to drown a young swimmer and held her head under water.

The 10-year-old girl, who told deputies her head was under water for 10 to 15 seconds, was not injured. She said her attacker released his hold on her while she kicked and struggled to squirm free.

The incident occurred on lower Twin Lakes near Par 3 Golf Course Road and Rose Lane while several children swam near a public dock.

Deputies arrested Joshua A. Young in Rathdrum on Friday afternoon. He was booked into the Kootenai County Jail on a charge of aggravated battery.

The girl said she was swimming with four friends - ages 10 and 11 - when Young arrived at the beach with his dog. She became frightened when Young held the dog’s head under water and she asked him to stop, according to a deputy’s report.

Young responded by allegedly threatening to drown the girl if she jumped in the water from a nearby dock. When she jumped off the opposite side of the dock a few minutes later, Young swam over to her and forced her head under water, the deputy’s report said.

He then allegedly again threatened to drown the girl if she returned to the water.

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