Man accused of sexual abuse at Walmart
Bristow
POST FALLS — A man is being held on $200,000 bail after he was allegedly caught on video attempting to fondle a child in Walmart.
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 around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday to Walmart, where a woman said 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 put his hand down his own pants before attempting to put his other hand down the child’s pants.
The boy said he ran and found his mother, who was in another aisle.
The boy’s sister told police she attempted to watch Bristow after hearing what happened but became frightened when Bristow noticed her.
She said Bristow walked toward her, then chased her when she ran.
Security footage reportedly showed Bristow put his hand in his 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 leave, Bristow allegedly pressed himself against the employee’s backside.
Police said it was unclear which event occurred first.
When contacted by police near Walmart, Bristow allegedly had drug paraphernalia in his pocket.
Police arrested Bristow.
Judge Anna Eckhart ordered Thursday that Bristow be held on $200,000 bail. She also ordered that Bristow not go within 25 feet of anyone under the age of 18.