Cd’A man charged with lewd conduct, child sexual abuse

COEUR d’ALENE — A man is facing felony charges after police said he engaged in sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl who appeared to have run away from home.

Ethan J. Walker, 19, of Coeur d’Alene, is charged with lewd conduct with a minor under the age of 16 and sexual abuse of a child, both felonies. 

The charges stem from June 23, when Idaho State Police responded to a report that a 13-year-old girl who had been reported missing from her home in Nez Perce County had been at Walker’s residence in Coeur d’Alene. 

While local police investigated the matter, the girl returned to her home, according to court records. 

Police said the girl told a friend she had communicated with Walker on the social media app Snapchat and he had provided her with his address before she “was found to be missing.” 

Walker told investigators that the girl had stayed at his residence overnight and that he engaged in sexual activity with her, according to court records. 

A detective who investigated the case noted that the evidence available so far appears to indicate that Walker believed the girl was “17 or 18 years old” when the alleged sexual activity occurred. 

Police arrested Walker on Wednesday. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse, call Safe Passage Violence Prevention Center’s 24-hour helpline: 208-664-9303.