Veteran Seattle police sergeant arrested over child abuse allegations

SEATTLE -- A veteran Seattle police sergeant has been arrested for allegedly engaging in long-term abuse of two female relatives, one now a teenager and the other an adult, the Seattle Police Department said Friday.

On April 1, the police department received a report from the relatives alleging abuse that had been happening for years, and Police Chief Kathleen O'Toole immediately notified detectives to make contact with women, the SPD said.

The investigators contacted the Lake Forest Park Police Department upon learning that the alleged actions occurred within its jurisdiction. Lake Forest Park police detectives took the lead in the investigation.

SPD said the Lake Forest Park detectives established probable cause for the sergeant's arrest and he was taken into custody without incident.  He will be booked into the King County Jail.

The officers, who appeared in court on Saturday was held on a $750,000 bail.  Because he has not been charged yet with the crimes, Q13 is not releasing his name. His next court appearance will be Wednesday, April 20th.

The SPD said that an allegation of abuse against the same sergeant in 2013 was investigated by the Lake Forest Park Police Department, Child Protective Services and the Office of Professional Accountability. Prosecutors declined the case due to insufficient evidence, SPD said, and Child Protective Services determined the allegations of abuse and/or neglect were unfounded.