Bangor senior chief petty officer remains in jail for child molestation

As his wife and fellow sailors looked on, William E. Miller, 48, of Central Kitsap, made his initial appearance in Kitsap County Superior Court Friday, Nov. 2, for first-degree child rape and first-degree child molestation.

Kitsap County Sheriff’s detectives arrested Miller on Thursday, Nov. 1, in Port Orchard.

Miller, a senior chief petty officer who works at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, allegedly abused an 8-year-old family member related by marriage.

The courtroom fell silent as Kitsap County Superior Court Judge Leila Mills read Miller’s charges aloud. Mills reduced Miller’s bail to $350,000 and he remains in Kitsap County Jail for first-degree child molestation.

The girl first told a close friend about the sexual abuse which began in July. She said the incidents occurred at her home and at a hotel in West Virginia as well as at a family member’s home in Indiana, according to court documents. The girl told detectives she did not tell her mother about the sexual abuse because she “would not believe her and would be angry with her,” according to court documents.

A Central Kitsap School District teacher received the information and the girl confided in her that she had been abused and was afraid to go home, according to court documents.

The CKSD employee notified the school principal and Child Protective Services was called.

“Staff is trained to recognize symptoms of abuse and if in fact a staff member believes something is not right, or the child reports it to them or there are signs of physical abuse, they immediately notify the principal,” said Melanie Reeder, CKSD spokeswoman.

A KCSO deputy took the initial complaint Tuesday, Oct. 30, and the child was removed from the home. Miller denied the sexual allegations and requested the presence of his attorney, according to court documents.

The child has since been returned to her mother, according to Tom Danaher, Naval Base Kitsap spokesman.

If convicted, Miller could serve life in prison. Miller’s next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 28 with trial set to begin in December.

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