Police say the preschool employee was booked on suspicion of rape of a child after a coworker reported concerns earlier in January.
LAKE STEVENS, WA — A daycare worker at a Lake Stevens preschool was arrested this week on suspicion of child rape after police received a report of possible abuse at the center, authorities said. Investigators believe there is at least one young victim, and the case remains active as detectives review statements and facility records.
The arrest places fresh scrutiny on a longtime child care provider in a fast-growing corner of Snohomish County. Police said the inquiry began after a staff member reported what they believed to be inappropriate contact during diaper changes. The employee under investigation was taken into custody and booked into the county jail on suspicion of rape of a child, then later released on bond while prosecutors review the case. The preschool says the worker is no longer on site and that it is cooperating with law enforcement and state licensing officials. Families were notified by letter late last week as detectives sought additional information and checked staffing logs, surveillance capability, and classroom assignments at the campus.
Detectives said they were alerted on Jan. 16, after internal concerns reportedly surfaced earlier in the month. By the time officers met with administrators, the worker had been removed from child-facing duties. Police said they “believe there is at least one young victim,” adding that the initial report came from within the center. Parents learned of the investigation as word spread online, followed by a letter dated Jan. 19 confirming that a staffer was no longer present. Officers collected rosters and training records and began scheduling interviews with current and former employees who worked in the affected classroom. The preschool is located along 20th Street SE in Lake Stevens, a corridor lined with neighborhoods and small businesses that sees heavy pickup and drop-off traffic during commuting hours.
According to documents reviewed by reporters, the staff member arrested is a 28-year-old assistant teacher assigned to an older-toddler room. A coworker told police they witnessed inappropriate touching involving multiple children during diaper changes between Jan. 7 and Jan. 9, and reported the behavior to a supervisor on Jan. 12. Investigators said the suspect denied wrongdoing during a Jan. 16 interview. The worker was booked into the Snohomish County Jail on suspicion of rape of a child and later released after posting a $60,000 bond. As of Tuesday, prosecutors had not filed formal charges, which often follow only after a full review of witness statements, potential forensic evidence and any relevant medical documentation. Officials have not publicly identified the employee by name, citing the early stage of the case and the ages of the children involved.
The preschool, Country Dawn Preschool & Childcare, has operated for decades and serves families from Lake Stevens and neighboring communities. Administrators told reporters they were devastated by the allegations and said the center is cooperating with police, Child Protective Services and state licensing authorities. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families oversees child care licensing in Washington; when serious allegations arise, providers typically submit staffing plans, training certifications and incident timelines while inspectors check compliance and any prior citations. Parents outside the center on Monday described a mix of confusion and worry, noting that classes continued while investigators moved in and out of the building to talk with staff.
Police and licensing officials are working in parallel, a common approach when potential criminal conduct intersects with regulatory oversight in a child care setting. Detectives are mapping out who worked where on specific dates, reviewing internal communications, and comparing sign-in records with the times and places alleged in witness statements. Prosecutors will decide on charges after they receive the full investigative file, including interviews with parents, employees and, where appropriate, child interview specialists trained to work with toddlers. Court schedules indicate that an initial case setting could come as early as next week if charging decisions are made; if not, investigators may request more time to conduct follow-up interviews or pursue any additional leads that emerge from tip lines and parent meetings.
Outside dismissal time, several parents said they first learned of the situation from social media posts, then received an official message from the preschool. One mother said the news “hit like a punch” but credited the coworker who spoke up. A father picking up his child called the allegations “unthinkable,” adding that his family was waiting for more information from authorities. Administrators reiterated that the staffer at the center of the allegation is no longer present. Neighbors along 20th Street SE described seeing patrol cars and unmarked vehicles over several days as plainclothes officers met with employees and collected materials.
For now, police say their priority is documenting the timeline and identifying any additional witnesses. The preschool remains open under the oversight of licensing staff while the criminal investigation continues. Prosecutors are reviewing the initial arrest report and witness statements; the next public milestone could be a charging decision or a court filing as early as next week, depending on the pace of evidence review.
Author note: Last updated January 21, 2026.