Parents worried Everett man arrested in child sex sting may have tried to victimize other kids



EVERETT, Wash.  -- An Everett man is accused of trying to commit sex crimes against young children. Stephen Canter was arrested during an undercover operation Sunday and remained behind bars Thursday in lieu of a $1 million bail.

Now, parents are concerned there may be other victims.

An Anacortes man says he's concerned because Canter's wife would supervise his visits sometimes with his kids from her supervised visitation business, Comfort Care, on Madison Street in Everett.

Jerod Christian says he never met  Canter but he knows the real estate broker also had an office in the same building as his wife.

“Today has been exceptionally tough to think what if,” Christian said.

Christian, a father of two, says when he saw Canter on the news, his heart sank.

According to court documents, police allege Canter agreed to meet and commit sex acts with girls that were 11 and 8 years of age.

Canter’s name is associated with Comfort Care, and now Christian is worried about the unknown.

“There is a dropoff, pickup point where I don’t see my kids; they are out of my sight; they are out of the mother’s sight. They are at her office,” Christian said.

Detectives only recently learned of Canter’s apparent association with Comfort Care.

“I don't know if there are any victims in that group,” Washington State Patrol detective Carlos Rodriguez said.

Comfort Care , founded in 2008, contracts with the state Department of Social and Health Services, which includes Child Protective Services. A webpage says they’ve helped 600 families with 20,000 visitations.

DSHS says they are suspending all referrals to Comfort Care indefinitely as the investigation continues. In 2013, they approved Canter to provide administrative support for Comfort Care but say the agency did not request he have direct supervision over the kids. There is no evidence yet that Canter did have supervision over kids.

DSHS says they are cooperating with WSP’s investigation.

On Thursday, Q13 FOX News tried to reach out to Canter's wife but we were not able to get a comment.

“I don’t think they should be operating anymore because of this,” Christian said.

A business next door says Canter and his wife moved out of their office spaces on Madison Street in January.