CST: Safety of minors a priority

COEUR d'ALENE — A Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre director issued a statement on social media after a cast member was arrested for child molestation and enticement crimes.

"On behalf of Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre (CST), I want to assure the community that the safety and wellbeing of all minors working with our organization has been, and remains a top priority," wrote Chuck Ethridge, CST executive artistic director, in a message posted on CST's Facebook page.

Kristofer Jon Siebers, 51, was recently arrested for two counts of lewd conduct with a minor child, one count of sexual abuse of a minor child and one count of enticing a child using the internet.

Siebers was a cast member from CST's July production of The Sound of Music at North Idaho College.

"Thankfully there were no incidents of suspicion involving the alleged during his time working on The Sound of Music," Ethridge wrote.

The post on Facebook states that CST follows strict safety protocols when working with minors including; experienced staff and production team members, designated minor-only spaces, communication and social media restrictions and the hiring of background checked “child wranglers,” who works closely with production to oversee and ensure minor safety on-site.

It goes on to state that CST maintains a zero tolerance policy against individuals who compromise the safety and wellbeing of any minors, suspected or proven."

Ethridge wrote that CST has been in communication with the city of Post Falls Police Department and will continue working with it to ensure the safety of the community.

"Our condolences go out to all who are victimized by such crimes and pledge to continue our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of minors and all individuals working with us," Ethridge wrote.

An undercover chat operation was conducted last week during which detectives pretended to be an underage child.

“Siebers enticed the child to come to his workplace in Coeur d’Alene,” police said in the news release. “Instead of a child, Siebers was confronted by detectives and was taken into custody.”

The Post Falls Police Department’s investigation revealed Siebers met at least one underage male online and engaged in sexual activity with him at various locations throughout Kootenai County.

Based on information gleaned when detectives interviewed Seibers, police believe Siebers has other child victims.