Daycare providers jailed for lewd conduct with child

A Bonners Ferry couple who own and operate a daycare from their home at the top of Peterson Hill were arrested today, each charged with one count of lewd and lascivious behavior with a child under 16 years of age, the incident dating back to New Years Day, 2012.

Richard G. Cowell III, born in 1970, and Katherine C. Cowell, born in 1974 owners of Little Zoo Keeper Day Care, will make their initial appearance at 1:45 p.m. today before Judge Tera Harden in the Bonner County Courthouse. Bonner County Prosecutor Lewis Marshall will prosecute the case as Boundary County Prosecutor Andrakay Pluid recused herself.

The files in both cases are currently sealed. If convicted both could be sentenced up to life in prison.

If you have any allegations of abuse concerning your children, contact Bonner County Magistrate Tera Harden’s assistant Tracy (208 (265) 1446 x2) and ask for a Victim Services Advocate to file a documented report about your concerns.

The case numbers are: CR11-25-0125 Richard G Cowell III and CR11-25-0124 Katherine Christine Cowell.