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Centralia Man Accused of Sexually Abusing Child in His Household as a Juvenile

The Chronicle - 9/25/2021

Sep. 24—A Centralia man is facing six first-degree rape of a child and first-degree child molestation charges for allegedly abusing a child in his household multiple times between 2011 and 2016.

The victim indicated she was 5 years old when the abuse began, at which time the defendant, whose name is being withheld by The Chronicle to protect the identity of the victim, would have been 11 years old.

He was 21 years old when charges were filed in September following an investigation by the Centralia Police Department.

The defendant turned himself in upon learning there was a $250,000 warrant out for his arrest on Sept. 22. He had a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court the following day. Defense attorney Rachael Tiller asked Judge Joely O'Rourke to reduce the bail amount to $50,000 unsecured, meaning he would be released from custody without paying bail, due to the age of the alleged offense.

"Had this been charged at the time, he would have been eligible for juvenile court," Tiller said.

O'Rourke ruled to uphold the $250,000 bail.

"Given the very concerning allegations ... he is a significant threat to the community," said O'Rourke.

His next court appearance is an arraignment hearing scheduled for Sept. 30.

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