State Senator’s Son Pleads Guilty to Sexual Child Abuse

A State Senator did not call authorities after his wife had reportedly discovered his teenage son sexually abusing a younger child.

The Seattle Times reports Brian Hatfield’s son pleaded guilty in Lewis County juvenile court this week to a series of charges related to child molestation and rape. It is for incidents that happened at the senator’s homes in Raymond and Adna. Adults under state law are required to contact authorities if a child who lives with them has suffered severe abuse. Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer tells the Times there is no basis to charge Hatfield or his wife for not reporting the local incident. Through his attorney, Hatfield says he had planned to contact authorities. But, he had not done that before the victim reported the abuse to school officials.