EVERETT, Wash. (AP) - Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole suspended Officer Eric A. Smith without pay on Thursday after he was charged in Snohomish County with child sex crimes.
O’Toole, who was just sworn in last week, says she is deeply troubled by the allegations as chief and as a parent.
Smith had been placed on paid leave when he jailed Monday in Everett. The 57-year-old Bothell man is charged with child molestation and communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.
The prosecutor’s office said the investigation began after a 12-year-old girl told a teacher she had been inappropriately touched from 2009 to last year.
The Seattle Times reports (https://bit.ly/1mODcec ) Smith was charged in district court and the case will likely be moved to Snohomish County Superior Court by July 18.
___
Information from: The Seattle Times, https://www.seattletimes.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.