Bellingham man suspected of raping child multiple times per week over past decade
A Bellingham man was arrested Tuesday, May 5, for allegedly sexually assaulting a girl he was familiar with multiple times a week over much of the past decade.
Bellingham police booked Jacob Will Cadman, 22, into Whatcom County jail on suspicion of multiple charges, including first-degree rape.
Police became aware of a history of alleged child rape committed by Cadman in November 2019, according to Whatcom County Superior Court documents filed Feb. 20.
When they began investigating, police found a previous report made to law enforcement in 2010 that contained sexual assault allegations against Cadman when the victim was just 7 years old, documents state, but that case was unable to proceed because the victim could not articulate the details of the alleged sexual assaults and there was not sufficient evidence.
The victim reported the attacks stopped for a while after the 2010 investigation, but resumed in 2011 or 2012, according to documents.
The victim reported the sexual assaults happened multiple times a week when she and Cadman were alone in a Bellingham apartment or a Lynden trailer, documents state.
The victim told investigators the attacks continued until the summer of 2017, when Cadman started dating someone else, according to documents.
A warrant was issued for Cadman’s arrest on Feb. 24.
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.
