Rape, kidnapping charges dismissed
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 9 months AGO
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | July 29, 2021 1:06 AM
POST FALLS — Some of the charges against a man previously accused of raping his girlfriend and attacking a child have been dropped.
Adam K. Bortfeld, 48, of Post Falls, pleaded guilty last week to injury to a child, a felony, and to domestic battery in the presence of a child, a misdemeanor.
The charges stem from April 17, when police responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at a Post Falls home.
At the scene, a woman who identified herself as Bortfeld’s girlfriend said Bortfeld raped her in the garage before dragging her into the bedroom.
Bortfeld forced a 13-year-old family member to go into the bedroom with them, she said.
He allegedly shut the woman and teen in the bedroom with him for several hours.
The teen told police Bortfeld grabbed him by the throat and pinned him to the bed.
Bortfeld later denied choking the teen but acknowledged grabbing the boy by the back of his neck.
The woman said she escaped the bedroom and fled to the home of a neighbor, who called police.
The teen also called 911, according to court documents, and told dispatch he thought Bortfeld had broken the woman’s wrist.
Bortfeld left the scene before police arrived.
A judge issued a warrant for Bortfeld’s arrest on charges of rape, second degree kidnapping, injury to a child and domestic battery in the presence of a child.
After he was taken into custody on April 30, Judge Clark Peterson ordered that he be held on $750,000 bail.
Judge Robert Caldwell later granted a motion to lower Bortfeld’s bail to $250,000.
The state dismissed the rape and kidnapping charges as part of a plea agreement.
Prosecutors will recommend retained jurisdiction in the case, according to court documents.
When a judge retains jurisdiction, the offender is placed in a prison treatment program, called a rider, for up to a year.
At the end of that time, the judge either places the offender on probation or sends them back to prison to serve the rest of their sentence.
Bortfeld, who remains in jail, is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 22 before Judge Richard Christensen.
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