SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man is facing three counts of lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor.

Matthew Herrick Carlin made an initial appearance in Bonner County Magistrate Court last Thursday. Judge Lori Meulenberg sustained Carlin’s $45,000 bail and appointed a public defender to represent him, court records show.

Carlin is accused of sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl in 2014, although the allegations didn’t emerge until last month. The child’s mother contacted sheriff’s investigators after the girl made disclosures of the abuse, according to court records.

The girl underwent a forensic interview in Coeur d’Alene, where she detailed incidents in which Carlin allegedly placed his genitalia on hers and engaged in oral sex, a probable cause affidavit stated. The girl told investigators that she told Carlin to stop but he refused.

Carlin also forbid her from telling anyone about the misconduct, court record show.

Carlin allegedly sent the girl’s mother a text message stating he was going to kill himself once he became aware that authorities were looking into the allegations.

Carlin’s criminal history in Bonner County includes convictions for driving under the influence, domestic assault and misdemeanor drug possession, according to the Idaho Supreme Court Data Repository.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.