Whatcom man suspected of molesting 10-year-old child
A Whatcom County man has been charged with sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl he was familiar with after he reportedly touched her inappropriately while she watched TV with her sisters.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office booked Luciano Lozano, 61, into Whatcom County Jail Jan. 6, and Whatcom County Superior Court documents show he was charged Monday, Jan. 10, with first-degree child molestation.
Jail records show Lozano was released Monday on $15,000 bail.
The sheriff’s office was notified by Child Protective Services of the suspected sexual assault on Dec. 29 after a church pastor reported that Lozano had admitted to inappropriately touching the victim, according to court documents.
A child forensic interviewer spoke to the victim on Jan. 5, according to documents, and during that interview the victim reported that Lozano had touched her inappropriately while she was watching TV with her sisters. Documents state the alleged incident occurred on Dec. 18.
After he was taken into custody by deputies and read his rights, Lozano told investigators that he had touched the victim but that it had happened accidentally, that he felt bad about doing so and that he had told his church pastor because it was weighing on his conscience.
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.
▪ 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 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 January 15, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
