Man suspected of trapping and sexually assaulting 13-year-old girl in Blaine bathroom
A 43-year-old man is suspected of trapping a 13-year-old girl he knew in a bathroom in Blaine and sexually molesting and raping her multiple times throughout November.
The Blaine Police Department booked Jeremy Michael McDaniel into Whatcom County Jail Thursday, Dec. 5, on suspicion of unlawful imprisonment, second-degree child rape and second-degree child molestation, according to jail records.
McDaniel’s arrest was the culmination of an investigation that took several days, Sgt. Michael Munden told The Bellingham Herald.
The investigation found that McDaniel trapped the girl in the bathroom by closing the door, preventing her from leaving, Munden said, and then forced her to perform sexual acts with him in the bathroom.
The victim told police that the attacks occurred more than once starting in early November, Munden said, with the last occurring approximately Nov. 20.
McDaniel had previous Whatcom County convictions in 2008 for malicious mischief and theft of motor vehicle fuel.
Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, you can contact the following local resources for free, confidential support:
▪ Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.
▪ Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.
▪ Bellingham Police: You can call 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/.
▪ Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.org.
This story was originally published December 6, 2019 at 5:00 AM.
