Coeur d’Alene Woman Charged With Trespassing After Scaling Fence at Skyway Elementary School in Idaho, Triggering Brief Lockdown
A Coeur d’Alene, Idaho woman is facing misdemeanor charges after she allegedly scaled a fence and entered the grounds of Skyway Elementary School on Monday afternoon — triggering a brief lockdown and a response from both city police and the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office. The incident, which unfolded around 3:15 p.m. on April 20, 2026, highlights the ongoing challenge schools across North Idaho face in balancing campus security with custody-related access disputes.
What Happened at Skyway Elementary
Stephanie A. Sokolowski, 38, of Coeur d’Alene, is charged with trespassing and eluding, both misdemeanors, in connection with the incident, according to the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.
According to a news release from the Coeur d’Alene Police Department, school staff recognized Sokolowski when she jumped the fence surrounding Skyway Elementary at approximately 3:15 p.m. Monday. Sokolowski “had previously been trespassed from the property due to custody-related issues involving her children,” police said.
Upon recognizing Sokolowski, school personnel immediately placed the campus on lockdown and contacted law enforcement. Before officers could arrive on scene, Sokolowski allegedly fled the area in a vehicle.
Law Enforcement Response and Detention
Officers from the Coeur d’Alene Police Department responded to Skyway Elementary, with additional assistance provided by the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office. Responding officers located Sokolowski nearby and initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of North Ramsey Road and West Dalton Avenue.
Police reported that Sokolowski was “safely detained” following the traffic stop. The school lockdown, which lasted approximately five minutes, was lifted shortly after officers confirmed Sokolowski was in custody.
The swift coordination between the Coeur d’Alene Police Department and the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office ensured the situation was resolved quickly, minimizing disruption to students and staff at the school.
Impact on Kootenai County School Safety
The incident at Skyway Elementary is a reminder of the security protocols schools throughout Kootenai County maintain to protect students and staff. The fact that school personnel recognized Sokolowski — and acted immediately by initiating a lockdown and contacting police — reflects the kind of staff preparedness that school administrators and law enforcement regularly work to reinforce across North Idaho campuses.
Custody-related disputes that spill onto school grounds present a particular challenge for school administrators and law enforcement, as they often involve emotionally charged situations with parents or guardians who may disregard established court-ordered or administrative restrictions. Schools throughout the Coeur d’Alene area and the broader Panhandle region have increasingly relied on formal trespass orders to manage access to campus property when disputes arise.
The lockdown lasting only five minutes speaks to the effectiveness of the response by both school staff and local law enforcement. For parents of students at Skyway Elementary, the brief but serious incident underscores why campus perimeter security and staff training remain critical priorities.
The Coeur d’Alene community has seen continued emphasis on public safety leadership in recent months. Jon Fugitt recently accepted the position of Coeur d’Alene Fire Chief, following the announced retirement of Fire Chief Thomas Greif, signaling ongoing transitions within the city’s public safety infrastructure.
What Comes Next
Sokolowski faces two misdemeanor charges — trespassing and eluding — and is expected to appear in court to answer those charges. As a misdemeanor case, it will likely be processed through the Kootenai County Magistrate Court system.
School officials at Skyway Elementary have not issued a separate public statement beyond what was included in the Coeur d’Alene Police Department’s news release. No students or staff were reported injured during the incident.
Parents and community members with concerns about school safety in the Coeur d’Alene area are encouraged to contact the Coeur d’Alene Police Department or their child’s school administration directly. Additional information on local public safety matters across Kootenai County is available at Idaho News.