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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Man faces charges in rape of baby

A Coeur d’Alene man allegedly raped a 22-month-old girl Saturday, and the girl required immediate surgery at Kootenai Medical Center, authorities said.

Benjamin N. Wright, 25, of Coeur d’Alene was arrested early Monday at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. He waived extradition and is scheduled to make his first appearance in Coeur d’Alene today on the charge of rape.

The Kootenai County arrest warrant included a $100,000 bond.

The girl’s mother told police she believed the rape occurred Saturday between noon and 5:30 p.m. in their Coeur d’Alene home. She reported that she noticed blood in her daughter’s diaper.

Benjamin Wright allegedly told her that it probably was just a bladder infection and to give her cranberry juice, Sgt. Christie Wood said.

Wright then disappeared from the home. That’s when the girl’s mother took the daughter to the hospital. Injuries to the girl’s vaginal area required immediate surgery.

Wood said Kootenai Medical Center staff reported the rape Sunday at 11:41 p.m. Detectives worked throughout the night collecting evidence and obtained an arrest warrant Monday by 3 a.m., Wood said.

Wright soon was found at Sacred Heart Medical Center. Wood was unable to comment on why Wright was at the hospital.

Spokane sheriff’s deputies took Wright to the Spokane County Jail.