Man charged with raping child at St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham
A Bellingham man has been charged with raping a child at St. Joseph Medical Center on May 19.
Alexander Humphries, 37, and a 14-year-old child were both patients in the specialized emergency care unit at St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, according to court records. The child was in the hallway waiting for the bathroom at about 2 a.m. when Humphries emerged with no clothes on.
Court documents allege Humphries pulled the child into the bathroom and raped the child. He told the child to “act natural” as they both left the bathroom after. The child returned a few minutes later to use the bathroom, and Humphries, who was once again inside, raped them a second time, according to court documents.
A nurse knocked on the door and separated Humphries from the child, who told staff what happened.
Humphries claimed that the assault was consensual, and then said “I don’t know why I did it, to tell you the truth.”
PeaceHealth, which operates St. Joseph Medical Center, did not respond to request for comment.
Humphries was booked into Whatcom County Jail on charges of third-degree rape of a child. The court signed an order at his first appearance requesting a competency evaluation, finding that Humphries “does not appear to understand the nature of the charges.”
Court records show that Humphries previously received special education services for a developmental disability.
If Humphries is found competent to stand trial, the court will set bail. If not, he will be sent to Western State Hospital for competency restoration services. A hearing to discuss the results of the evaluation is scheduled for June 4.
Resources
▪ Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.org. Brigid Collins Family Support Center professionals are on call between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday to answer questions about children, families, abuse prevention or treatment at (360) 734-4616.
▪ Child Protective Services: Washington state hot line for reporting child abuse and neglect, 866-829-2153.
▪ Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.
▪ Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.
▪ Tl’ils Ta’á’altha Victims of Crime: 360-325-3310 or nooksacktribe.org/departments/youth-family-services/tlils-taaaltha-victims-of-crime-program
▪ Bellingham Police: You can report sexual assault anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips.
▪ WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence.