• Written by Briaana Gerdeman
A Seattle police officer who lives in Bothell was
charged with first degree child molestation and communication with a minor for
immoral purposes for allegedly molesting his former girlfriend’s daughter over
several years, according to documents from the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s
Office.
Eric Amadeo Smith, 57, is now on administrative leave
from the Seattle Police Department. He was released on bail from Snohomish
County Jail on July 1.
“Smith sexually abused a vulnerable child who he had
control over,” the documents state. “The abuse allegedly occurred for a period
of four years with multiple offenses.”
The 12-year-old victim reported the abuse to her
teacher last month, after the subject of inappropriate touching was covered in
health class.
According to the documents, she said Smith made her
perform sexual acts several times between 2009 and 2013, when she was age 7 to
11.
The documents describe five instances of alleged
sexual abuse, adding that the victim gave specific details of the abuse when
being interviewed during the investigation.
“The victim disclosed this abuse to her mother,
friends and school staff verbally and in writing over the years,” the documents
state. “The victim recanted her initial disclosure when she was 7 after being
confronted by the suspect in front of her mother, but has since confirmed that
the abuse occurred and continued to occur in his home until the age of 11.”
