A 46-year-old homeless man arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 5-year-old girl at Tent City #3 was released from King County Jail Wednesday night after prosecutors failed to file charges within the required 72-hour deadline.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office explained it is continuing to pursue the case and may file charges once additional evidence is collected, citing “inconsistencies with the current evidence.” Washington law permits holding suspects up to 72 hours without formal charges.
“If prosecutors could prove a child molestation or rape case or another crime beyond a reasonable doubt today, the case would be filed,” said Casey McNerthney, spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. “We are confident in the ongoing investigative work of Seattle Police, and King County prosecutors will continue to be in contact with the case detective.”
The suspect was arrested Friday, September 12, at the homeless encampment located at 2720 South Hanford Street. A Tent City resident reported seeing the man attempting to lure the child into his tent. The victim later described being inappropriately touched on two separate occasions by a man she identified, including details about his tent color.
Authorities are awaiting forensic test results that could provide crucial evidence for the case. Both Seattle Police and the prosecuting attorney’s office emphasized their continued collaboration and commitment to pursuing charges once sufficient evidence is available.
“This is not something that will be on the backburner for Seattle police or prosecutors,” McNerthney added. “This is a very important investigation.”
SHARE, the grassroots organization operating Tent City #3, confirmed the suspect is permanently banned from all its properties. The organization emphasized its swift response to protect the child and cooperation with law enforcement.
“Tent City3 is heartbroken about the incident and arrest at our camp last Friday,” a SHARE spokesperson stated. “That evening, Tent City 3 leadership acted swiftly and appropriately when a child appeared to be at risk. We called 9-11 immediately to initiate an investigation, and cooperated with that investigation once undertaken.”
The organization highlighted its safety protocols, including 24-hour security coverage, codes of conduct requiring sobriety and nonviolence, mandatory supervision of minors, and sex offender screening procedures established since SHARE’s 1990 founding.
SHARE arranged medical evaluation for the affected family and secured longer-term stable housing. The organization defended its community safety model while acknowledging ongoing challenges.
“The issues and struggles we face at Tent City3 are no different than those that every community, housed and unhoused, face every day,” the spokesperson said. “We rededicate ourselves to using our community organizing model to increase safety and shelter for all.”
The case highlights challenges in prosecuting crimes within homeless encampments while ensuring adequate evidence collection and victim protection.
