Prosecutors charge Deming man with raping, assaulting child in Whatcom County
A Deming man has been charged with raping a child while she was visiting Whatcom County.
The investigation into Cole Edwin Larson, 20, began after a 14-year-old girl from Vancouver, Wash., reported to local police that Larson sexually assaulted her. According to court records, the girl was visiting family in Whatcom County in March when the assaults occurred.
At one point, the girl tried to push and kick Larson away, and he choked her, court documents allege.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the assaults in April, and law enforcement officers arrested Larson in Sedro-Woolley on June 9. He reportedly admitted to having sex with the victim.
Larson was charged with second-degree assault with sexual motivation, third-degree rape of a child and third-degree child molestation. He pleaded not guilty to all counts on June 10.
Larson remains in custody at the Whatcom County Jail in lieu of a $100,000 bond.
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.