Whatcom County man arrested on suspicion of assault, child rape
A 20-year-old Whatcom County man has been arrested on suspicion of raping a child, according to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
WSCO spokesperson Deb Slater said a juvenile from Vancouver, Washington reported to local police that they were sexually assaulted by the man while visiting family in Whatcom County in March. They said the man applied pressure to their neck during one of the assaults.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office notified WCSO of the alleged assault on April 10. Slater said deputies contacted the 20-year-old man Tuesday, and he admitted to having sex with the victim.
The man was booked into Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of second-degree assault, third-degree child rape and third-degree child molestation. He is being held without bail awaiting his preliminary appearance and had yet to be formally charged as of June 10.
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 report sexual assault 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.