Man jailed for alleged false 911 call

HAYDEN — A man is being held on $50,000 bail after police said he made a false 911 call.

Bryan R. Craig, 30, of Hayden, is charged with telephone harassment and with making a false report, both misdemeanors.

Deputies with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office responded Sunday night to a 911 call that an intoxicated man was beating his children at a Hayden residence.

The anonymous 911 caller described numerous firearms inside the home, prompting police to respond to the scene with lights and sirens.

At the residence, police found that the male homeowner was not intoxicated and no disturbance had occurred.

The homeowner said he suspected Craig of making the false report.

Craig had sent the man numerous threatening messages, the man said, due to a dispute between the pair. He provided police with screenshots of the messages.

“I will never stop threatening your family,” one message reportedly read. “They will die in their blood in front of you.”

The phone number used to place the 911 call belonged to Craig, police said, and the call originated from Craig’s address.

Upon hearing a recording of the 911 call, the homeowner reportedly confirmed that he recognized Craig’s voice.

Police obtained a warrant for Craig’s arrest and took him into custody Monday.

Judge Timothy Van Valin ordered Wednesday that Craig be held on $50,000 bail.

Making a false report to 911 that results in an emergency response is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

In addition to criminal penalties, civil damages may also be recovered in an amount of three times the costs incurred.

Craig has pleaded not guilty to both charges.