PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County prosecuting attorney is weighing potential charges against a 12-year-old Chimacum boy whom deputies accuse of molesting a fellow student, a 7-year-old girl, on a school bus earlier this year.
“This is a very significant accusation,” Michael Haas said Tuesday.
“We hope to make a charging decision this week or next.”
Haas is considering charging the boy, who was not identified because of his age, with juvenile counts of first-degree rape, child molestation and indecent liberties, charges that could keep him incarcerated until he turns 21.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the incident in March and recommended the boy be charged in April.
Haas received supporting paperwork Monday, he said.
Haas said he did not know exactly when the incident occurred and that it was not immediately reported.
The incident came to light when the girl was taken to a physician by her guardian and disclosed what had happened to her, he said.
As required by state law, the physician reported the incident to law enforcement officials, in this case the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
The boy has been expelled from school, Haas said.
Coincidental to the release of material from the Sheriff’s Office, the girl’s aunt appeared on a KING-TV report, where she was identified as “Rose” to protect the identity of the child.
As her face was blurred, Rose explained that she no longer allows the girl to take the bus to school, instead driving her every day.
Chimacum School Superintendent Rich Stewart was not available for comment Tuesday.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
