By BRIAN WALKER

Staff writer

RATHDRUM — A 35-year-old Coeur d'Alene woman who was issued a misdemeanor citation and trespass warnings in Rathdrum for child enticement on Wednesday was arrested for second-degree kidnapping late Thursday.

Emily Ward, who has lost custody of her three children, was arrested at her home by Coeur d'Alene Police after the Kootenai County Prosecutor's Office reviewed the case and issued a warrant.

Rathdrum Police Chief Kevin Fuhr said the arrest stems from the same alleged incidents in Rathdrum on Tuesday that led to the citation and trespass warnings.

"The Prosecutor's Office reviewed the case and they believed it warranted a kidnapping charge," Fuhr said. "I'm glad they found that so we can get her off the street. It helps secure a peace of mind to the people around here. We were all concerned that she'd come back and try to kidnap the children. This puts the schools, the foster parents and us at ease."

Ward allegedly drove other children who know her kids around Rathdrum trying to locate them.

"Her response to everything was that she's just trying to get passage to her children and find out where they're at," Fuhr said.

Fuhr said it's unclear whether Ward's intent was to take her children.

"Nobody but her knows that," Fuhr said.

Ward was issued the citation and trespass warnings for the Lakeland Junior High and Betty Keifer Elementary schools in Rathdrum where the alleged incidents happened.

On Tuesday at about 3:45 p.m. Ward allegedly contacted a 14-year-old Rathdrum boy near Highway 41 and California Street seeking Lakeland Junior High, according to police.

Ward asked the boy if he would show her where the school is. The boy agreed and got into the vehicle. Ward drove to the school, where she asked several students attending a basketball game if they know her children.

Two 13-year-old Rathdrum girls told Ward that they know her children and were asked by Ward to step outside to talk.

Once outside, the girls reported that Ward allegedly gave them several verbal commands to get into her vehicle so that they could show Ward where her children were living and rode the bus. Despite the fact that the girls did not know the female, they did as they were told and got into the female’s vehicle, police said.

Ward allegedly drove the girls around Rathdrum for about 40 minutes before dropping them back off at Lakeland Junior High.

On Wednesday at 7:50 a.m. Ward was seen driving near Betty Keifer Elementary and was stopped by officers. She agreed to go to the police station for questioning. After the interview, Ward was cited and given the trespass warnings.