Man charged with sexual abuse
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years AGO
Abel
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. | August 18, 2022 1:00 AM
COEUR d’ALENE — A man is being held on $100,000 bail after police said he sexually abused a child.
Dakota W. Abel, 28, of Denim Springs, La., is charged with lewd conduct with a minor under the age of 16, a felony.
The charge stems from April, when an 8-year-old child said Abel had touched her inappropriately during a visit to his residence in Post Falls.
The child’s parent reported the alleged abuse to Post Falls police, who conducted interviews with the child and others before filing charges.
Court documents indicate that the child received medical care after the abuse allegedly occurred.
Abel allegedly left Idaho for his home state of Louisiana shortly after the child’s parent contacted police.
A judge issued a warrant for Abel’s arrest in late June and issued a no contact order.
Law enforcement reportedly took Abel into custody Monday afternoon.
He remains in jail on $100,000 bail.
In Idaho, lewd conduct with a child under the age of 16 is punishable by up to life in prison.
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