Wednesday, December 31, 2025
19.0°F

Hearing delayed for accused sexual abuser

KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 7 months AGO
by KAYE THORNBRUGH
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. | May 28, 2021 1:20 AM

POST FALLS — A man accused of attempting to fondle a child in Walmart remains in jail on $200,000 bond.

Forrest T. Bristow, 26, of Hayden, is charged with sexual abuse of a child under 16 years of age, a felony. He is also charged with injury to a child, sexual battery and possession of drug paraphernalia, all misdemeanors.

Post Falls police responded to Walmart on the morning of May 7, after a woman reported that her 12-year-old son had been assaulted.

The child told police that a man, later identified as Bristow, grabbed his rear end while walking past him in the toy aisle.

Bristow then allegedly attempted to put his hand down the child’s pants.

The boy said he ran and found his mother, who was in another aisle.

Security footage reportedly showed Bristow put his hand down his own pants and attempt to touch the child.

In a separate occurrence, an employee told police Bristow stared at him and put his hands down his own pants.

When the employee went to walk away, Bristow allegedly pressed himself against the employee’s backside.

Bristow allegedly had drug paraphernalia in his pocket when police contacted him near Walmart. He was arrested at the scene.

Judge Anna Eckhart ordered that Bristow not go within 25 feet of anyone under the age of 18.

A preliminary hearing in the case that was scheduled for today has been postponed.

Bristow is expected to appear in court within the next three weeks.

ARTICLES BY KAYE THORNBRUGH

December 30, 2025 1 a.m.

Cd’A man charged with possession, distribution of child sexual abuse material

Brendan M. Shea, 27, of Coeur d’Alene, is charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a child by distribution of sexually exploitative material and five counts of sexual exploitation of a child by possession of sexually exploitative material, all felonies.

December 25, 2025 1 a.m.

Rathdrum police seek victims amid burglary investigation

Rathdrum police arrested a suspect Tuesday who they believe to be involved in multiple burglaries, according to a news release.

BLM: Migrating eagle population peaked early this year
December 25, 2025 1 a.m.

BLM: Migrating eagle population peaked early this year

The annual migration of bald eagles to Lake Coeur d’Alene to feed on spawning kokanee is past its peak, according to the Bureau of Land Management.