Whatcom man suspected of repeatedly raping teenage girl he knew
A Whatcom County man is suspected of repeatedly sexually assaulting a teenage girl he was familiar with between September 2020 and November 2021.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office booked Steven Michael Champeau, 37, into Whatcom County Jail Monday, March 14, on suspicion of third-degree child rape. Jail records show he was released later Monday on $50,000 bail.
Deputies responded to the Deming area for a rape investigation on Sunday, March 13, after the victim’s parents called 911 after their daughter reported being raped several times by a friend of the family, Whatcom County Superior Court documents state.
The victim would have been 14 at the time of the alleged sexual assaults, which she said occurred at Champeau’s house and the victim’s, documents state.
The victim reported that in September of 2020 she was at Champeau’s house and sleeping on the floor with other young kids and that Champeau was sleeping under blankets with them, according to documents. The victim reported she woke up to find her pants had been pulled down and Champeau was touching her inappropriately, according to the court documents.
The victim reported that Champeau groped, inappropriately touched and raped her multiple other times after that first alleged sexual assault through November of 2021, documents state.
The victim’s parents reported Champeau had groomed the victim, buying her knives, posters, clothes, food and hair die, according to documents, and they said they caught Champeau cuddling with the victim on one occasion.
Court records show Champeau is scheduled to be arraigned on April 1.
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 March 17, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
