How Could You? Hall of Shame-Daniel Atwell
This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.
From Auburn, Washington, guardian Daniel T. Atwell, Jr., 67, has been jailed and charged with four counts of rape against a 15-year-old girl in his care.
“According to charging documents, investigators seized several emails between Atwell and the girl backing her claims that the 67-year-old had sex with her.”
“Writing the court, an Auburn detective said the girl first reported the sexual abuse to a therapist in October. Child services workers removed her from Atwell’s home immediately as detectives continued to investigate.
Confronted by detectives, Atwell denied allegations that he was sexually abusing the girl, according to charging documents. Prosecutors contend Atwell’s emails to the girl show he was lying to police.
During one exchange, Atwell told the girl he worried she thought he was just “using” her, the detective told the court.
“I want you to know that it is more than a sexual desire and I never want you to feel any different,” Atwell wrote the girl in mid January, according to charging documents.
“I’ll be glad when this is over and I can prove to you that my love is real,” Atwell is alleged to have said in a later email.
Atwell is alleged to have discussed having sex with the girl over email.
In February, Atwell was again interviewed by detectives after he turned up outside the girl’s school. Again, he denied having sex with the girl.
Atwell was arrested May 29 at his Auburn home. Prosecutors charged Atwell the following day with four counts of third-degree rape of a child.
Writing the court, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Cecelia Gregson successfully argued that Atwell should be jailed on $150,000 bail.
“While the defendant has no criminal history to speak of, he now faces a five year sentence for his sexual abuse of the young female victim, whose care he was entrusted,” Gregson told the court. “The defendant has demonstrated his ability and desire to violate Child Protective Services attempts to prevent contact with and protect the victim.”
Atwell remains jailed at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center. He has not yet entered a plea.”
Guardian charged with raping girl in his care
[Seattle Post-Intelligence 6/4/12 by Levi Pulkkinen]
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