Teen accused of sexually abusing children and family dog
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IDAHO FALLS — Investigators say a teenage boy took photos of him sexually abusing a child and having intercourse with the family dog.
The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began investigating the now-17-year-old in 2020 when he was 16. The teenager was recently charged as an adult with two felony counts of lewd conduct with a child. EastIdahoNews.com is not naming the teen due to his age and to protect the identity of the victims.
A detective’s report says deputies went into the teen’s filthy home in February 2020, noting the smell of the house and piles of garbage made it impossible to open some of the doors. Investigators say feces were on the floor, and flies swarmed in the air. Due to the home’s condition, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare was called in, and workers said they would take measures to protect the young children who lived inside.
Investigators were at the home because of a tip submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children saying the teen had child pornography. Investigators searched his phone and discovered images of him sexually abusing a child who was around 6 years old. Additional photos on the phone showed the teenager having sex with the family’s Dachshund.
Based on the images, investigators booked the teenager into the 3B Detention Center for possession of child pornography. It is not clear if that charge was ever prosecuted as it is not listed in public court records due to the suspect being a juvenile.
While in custody, investigators spoke with a witness in the teen’s home who has developmental disabilities. The witness described the teen sexually abusing a 5 and a 6-year-old boy.
Court records show the teen is in the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections custody. He was scheduled to make his court appearance on Friday. If convicted, charging documents indicate the teen could be ordered to spend up to life in prison.