A 27-year-old Lewiston man has been charged with sexual abuse of a child under 16 and second-degree kidnapping in connection with conduct spanning from December 2025 through May 2026 in Nez Perce County.
Nathan F. Tannahill faces one count of sexual abuse of a child under 16 and one count of second-degree kidnapping, according to court documents filed in the county. The victim, a juvenile identified only by initials in legal filings, was allegedly in contact with Tannahill during the five-month period covered by the charges.
Initial Contact and Custody
The case began when law enforcement conducted a traffic stop in Lewiston on December 17, 2025. Officers located the juvenile in a vehicle with Tannahill and two other adult men. At the time of the stop, the victim was a runaway and had become the legal responsibility of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Following the traffic stop, authorities placed the juvenile in the custody of the Department of Health and Welfare. However, the victim allegedly ran away from care hours after being placed there, according to law enforcement records.
Ongoing Investigation
The charges are based on a probable cause affidavit compiled during the investigation. Court records do not yet detail the specific allegations or circumstances beyond the timeline of the alleged conduct.
Tannahill remains in the Nez Perce County criminal justice system pending further court proceedings. The case underscores ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in locating and protecting runaway juveniles in the region.