After more than a decade, the Kent Police Department this week made an arrest in a 2013 cold case involving the sexual assault of a 6-year-old child at a local retail store, thanks to a recent DNA match.
The arrest was the result of a collaborative investigation between Kent detectives and Texas authorities, marking a major milestone in the pursuit of justice for the young victim and her family.
The initial assault occurred on May 19, 2013, while the child was with her mother in the store. According to police, an unknown man approached the child as her mother was at the register and committed the assault before fleeing the scene. Kent Police officers responded swiftly, securing the scene, collecting surveillance footage, and gathering physical evidence. Despite extensive efforts, the case went unsolved for years.
The breakthrough came on Aug, 6, 2024, when the Kent Police Special Assault Unit received a DNA match from the national Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The CODIS match identified the suspect as a 31-year-old Texas resident who was stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington in 2013. A recent criminal conviction for a crime against children in Texas required the suspect to submit a DNA sample, which led to the CODIS match.
Special Assault Unit Detective Melville, in coordination with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, obtained an arrest warrant. Detective Melville and Sergeant J. Johnson, along with the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office in Texas, devised an operational plan for the suspect’s apprehension. The arrest was made without incident, and extradition to King County, Washington, is pending.
“This successful resolution is a testament to the dedication of our officers and detectives and highlights the power of thorough investigative work and inter-agency collaboration,” said Detective Commander Mills. “We remain committed to pursuing justice for all victims and hope this long-awaited resolution brings a sense of relief to the victim and her family.”
The Kent Police Department extended gratitude to the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office, especially Sergeant Lobpries and Investigator Dorsett, for their assistance in the arrest and earlier DNA collection that proved critical in solving the case.
