Man gets supervised probation after attempted kidnapping, mental health crisis

COEUR d’ALENE — A man who pleaded guilty to trying to kidnap a girl during a mental health crisis will receive treatment while on supervised probation.

Peter L. Cahoon, 33, pleaded guilty in October to attempted kidnapping in the second degree and to battery upon an officer, both felonies. Prosecutors later dismissed two counts of battery, as well as charges of malicious injury to property, disturbing the peace and resisting or obstructing officers. 

First District Judge Ross Pittman sentenced Cahoon to 15 years in prison, then suspended the sentence and placed Cahoon on supervised probation for 10 years. As a condition of his probation, Cahoon must participate in Kootenai County’s Mental Health Court program. 

Mental Health Court is a voluntary, post-conviction diversion program for people living with severe and persistent mental illness such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Clients in the program are on supervised probation.  

The program lasts a minimum of 18 months and emphasizes accountability. In the early stages, clients spend 20 hours per week in treatment activities, including individual and group therapy for mental health and for addiction, as well as group classes and peer support. They attend court weekly and update a judge on their progress. 

The charges stemmed from May 2024, after police said Cahoon approached a man and his daughter in the parking lot of the St. Vincent de Paul HELP Center and “tried to pull the girl out of the car through the open window.” 

When the man backed the vehicle up, Cahoon jumped on the hood and tried to open the girl’s door, police said. The man called 911 and Cahoon walked away from the parking lot. 

Surveillance footage confirmed the man’s account of what happened, according to the Coeur d’Alene Police Department, and officers located Cahoon several blocks away. 

At the time, police said Cahoon “seemed to be suffering from mental health issues and made statements about trying to save the girl.” 

Before pleading guilty to the charges, prosecutors said, Cahoon was hospitalized at State Hospital North in Orofino, which provides treatment for adults in psychiatric crisis.