Man charged with child sexual abuse

COEUR d’ALENE — A man is in jail on $250,000 bail after police said he sexually abused a girl over a period of several years.

John D. Summerlin, 55, formerly of Coeur d’Alene, is charged with sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16 and lewd conduct with a minor, both felonies. 

Police began investigating in October after receiving a report that Summerlin had allegedly molested a child between 2012 and 2015. Summerlin now resides in Mississippi but lived in Coeur d’Alene when the alleged abuse occurred, according to court records. 

When contacted by Coeur d’Alene police, a woman told investigators that Summerlin sexually abused her during her childhood. She described multiple instances when Summerlin allegedly molested her. 

The woman said she told a friend about the abuse in 2013; descriptions of her disclosures are written in the friend’s journal, which police obtained. The woman said she also disclosed the abuse to others around 2015 but was rebuffed and discouraged from reporting the abuse to police, according to court records. 

In a recorded phone call, Summerlin told the woman he was trying to make her feel “loved, wanted and desired” when he “did what he did” during her childhood and urged her not to talk to police, court records say. 

“I would like for you to tell them absolutely nothing,” Summerlin said, according to court records. “Or you can tell them the whole thing is what it is. They’ll issue a warrant, probably, at that point and there won’t be a whole lot I can do about it.” 

A Kootenai County judge issued a $250,000 warrant for Summerlin’s arrest in late October. Police arrested Summerlin on Tuesday night. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse, reach Safe Passage 24/7 by calling 208-664-9303 or texting 208-449-7228.