A Lake Stevens preschool is under intense scrutiny after a daycare worker was arrested in connection with an alleged sexual assault involving a young child at Country Dawn Preschool and Childcare. Parents say word of the investigation first spread on social media, then through a letter from the center. The worker is no longer at the facility while police investigate what authorities say involves at least one young victim in an active case.
Lake Stevens police told FOX 13 Seattle that officers were alerted on Jan. 16 after an employee reported suspected abuse. The center followed up with a letter to families dated Jan. 19 that said the staffer "is no longer present" and that the situation had been reported to authorities. Investigators told the station the employee was arrested and booked on suspicion of rape of a child, and that the preschool is cooperating with licensing officials, Child Protective Services and law enforcement.
Court documents reviewed by The Herald state that a co-worker reported seeing the suspect allegedly touch children inappropriately during diaper changes between Jan. 7 and Jan. 9, then alerted supervisors on Jan. 12. The documents identify the arrested employee as a 28-year-old assistant teacher in the older-toddler room who had worked at the center since August 2025. According to the same documents, the suspect denied the allegations during a Jan. 16 interview. The Herald also reports the worker was booked into the Snohomish County Jail and later released after posting a $60,000 bond, and that as of the paper’s Tuesday update, prosecutors had not yet filed formal charges.
Parents First Heard Through Social Media
One parent told reporters they first learned something was wrong from online posts, then later received official notice from the preschool. Since then, several families have been pressing administrators for more information about what happened and how the center responded. Speaking off-camera, the daycare director told FOX 13 Seattle she was devastated by the allegations and said that in 37 years of operation the center had never faced an incident like this.
Reporting Rules For Child-Care Providers
Under Washington’s WAC 110-300-0475, licensed early-learning providers are required to report incidents that may put children at risk and must file a written incident report with the Department of Children, Youth and Families within 24 hours. Guidance from the Department of Children, Youth and Families outlines these obligations. RCW 26.44.030 also classifies licensed child-care workers as mandatory reporters who must contact authorities "at the first opportunity" and no later than 48 hours, and it requires that the identity of the accused be included when known.
What Comes Next
Investigators have been reaching out to families as the Lake Stevens Police Department continues its inquiry, and the suspect’s case file reflects the bond posting, according to The Herald. Snohomish County prosecutors are expected to review the full investigative file once detectives finish their work and then decide whether to move forward with charges.
Legal Implications
The arrest report lists the allegation as rape of a child. Under Washington law, rape of a child in the first degree is classified as a class A felony. See the RCW 9A.44.073 statute for how that offense is defined and the penalties it carries.
