Blaine man allegedly trapped, raped 13-year-old girl

A 43-year-old man allegedly trapped a 13-year-old girl in a bathroom in Blaine and sexually molested and raped her on multiple occasions in November.

Jeremy Michael McDaniel was arrested and booked into Whatcom County Jail on December 5 on suspicion of second-degree child rape, second-degree child molestation and unlawful imprisonment.

Blaine police were alerted to the suspected crimes after the victim’s mother came forward and reported them, said Blaine officer Tim Richardson. He said the family was personally notified after McDaniel was arrested.

McDaniel was arrested following an investigation that took several days. The investigation included a thorough interview with the victim, said Richardson. The investigation found that McDaniel trapped the girl in a bathroom by closing the door, preventing her from leaving. He then forced her to perform sexual acts with him.

The attacks allegedly occurred on multiple occasions starting in early November, with the last occurring around November 20. “We believe it occurred several times,” said Richardson.

In order to protect the identity of the juvenile victim, Richardson declined to release the location of the bathroom or other details of the investigation. “We’d like to do our best to protect her,” he said.