Whatcom County man sentenced to 66 months in prison for sexually abusing young girl
A 69-year-old man from Sumas was sentenced in Whatcom County Superior Court on Tuesday to five and a half years in prison for sexually abusing a 7-year-old girl.
Henry Paul Ruiz III was arrested July 21, 2023 after the girl disclosed to her mother that Ruiz touched her inappropriately. Court records allege that Ruiz initially accused the girl of lying about the abuse. He later pleaded guilty Jan. 7 to charges that included multiple counts of second-degree child molestation.
The girl, who was known to Ruiz, said he touched her or made her touch him sexually whenever she slept over at his house, according to court documents. She said the abuse began when she was in preschool or kindergarten.
The Bellingham Herald’s policy is to avoid identifying victims of sex crimes when possible.
In a family impact statement submitted March 10, the girl’s mother expressed frustration that the case was still open. She said she kept reassuring her daughter that “justice will be done,” and is working to rebuild her daughter’s self-confidence.
“I don’t think that the impact this has had on the victim can be understated,” prosecutor Caleb Nagel said.
Ruiz’s crimes have also impacted the broader community, according to a written statement from the victim and her family that was read in court. Ruiz taught karate and was involved with his church, and the family called his actions “far reaching.”
The statement also explained that the girl whom Ruiz abused struggles with her grades and making friends because of what she went through.
“The weight of this will carry into her adult life,” the statement said.
Public defender Charles Parrish said he has seen “nothing but complete remorse” from Ruiz since he started representing him. He asked Judge Evan Jones to consider Ruiz’s cooperation with police and his decision not to bring the case to trial to avoid further trauma to the victim.
“I screwed up,” Ruiz said. “If I could do it all over again, it wouldn’t have happened.”
Jones said a position of remorse is “a good start,” but needs to be followed with a change in behavior. He sentenced Ruiz to five and a half years in prison followed by three years in community custody. A sexual assault protection order for the victim will be in place for two years following his release from community custody.
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 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. If you or a child is in immediate danger, call 911 and make a report to law enforcement. To report child abuse or neglect call 1-866-END HARM.
▪ NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Whatcom: www.namiwhatcom.org/crisis-resources.html
▪ Washington State Crisis Line/National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or text HOME to 741741 for a crisis counselor
▪ Whatcom County Triage Center Crisis Line: 800-584-3578