A 26-year-old Kirkland man was formally charged with Second Degree Kidnapping on Wednesday in King County Superior Court in connection with an incident at Marina Park in Kirkland.
Artom G. Katkoff was found to have a history of mental-health issues and prosecutors are asking for $150,000 bail.
In the current case against Katkoff, he attempted to take an 8-year-old girl at Marina Park in Kirkland on Sept.6 as she played with a friend and was being watched by a teenage baby sitter. When the sitter intervened, Katkoff accused the teenager of being the one attempting to harm the girl, the documents continue. He was arrested a short time later by Kirkland police.
Katkoff was charged with disorderly conduct in Bellevue Municipal Court earlier this year and has been involuntarily committed to Western State Hospital three times between May 31, 2001 and September 2007. He was also evaluated at the hospital in August 2007.
The charges in Bellevue stem from an incident at a gas station where a male attendant called police to report a man acting erratically, according to court documents. When police arrived, Katkoff allegedly got into his car, drove a short distance, got out of the car and removed his shirt. He then allegedly began making martial arts poses before police arrested him. He was sent to Western State Hospital for a mental-health evaluation. On Aug. 20 Katkoff was diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder and Cannabis Disorder, the documents continue. The medical personnel also determined that although Katkoff could understand the nature of the court proceedings he could not assist in his own defense. That case was dismissed because the judge did not believe Katkoff’s competency could be restored within 14 days, the documents continue.
Katkoff will be back in court on Monday, Sept. 15 for his arraignment. A judge will determine bail at that time.