PORT TOWNSEND — A man charged with assaulting and molesting two different children under his care has been released from Jefferson County jail after posting bond on his bail of $75,000.
Harold Peacock, 68, of Port Townsend has been charged in Jefferson County Superior Court with counts of rape of a child, child molestation and assault of a child after an investigation into an incident at his home June 17.
According to police reports:
Deputies responded to a call at 71 Southport Lane where one of Peacock’s five great-grandchildren, who are legally in his custody, claimed that Peacock had spanked him in the buttocks and legs for a prolonged time.
The ages and genders of all the children were not available, but the reports included a 15-year-old girl, a 14-year-old boy who referred to the alleged spanking victim as his “little brother” and at least one 13-year-old.
The alleged spanking victim said after the first spanking, Peacock came back and grabbed him by the neck.
Deputies found bruising, welts and scratches on the child.
The five children told deputies that a few of them had watched the beating and that Peacock had struck a second child.
The second child said she was struck by Peacock and thrown to the ground because she was “standing around instead of working.”
The five children also told deputies they had been struck and choked by Peacock in the past, at least one time with a leather belt.
Deputies placed Peacock under arrest for domestic violence.
On June 18, deputies interviewed one of the children who told them Peacock had molested her for about three years between 2003 and 2007.
She told investigators that Peacock had used his hands and mouth to touch her genitalia on multiple occasions.
Peacock was charged in court with assault on June 18 and with molestation and rape charges on June 22.
He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Scott Rosekrans said, given the circumstances, he chose to try the assault charges and molestation charges separately.
“I made that decision based on there being separate victims and the distance in time between them,” Rosekrans said.
“The alleged assault occurred recently and the alleged molestation took place years ago.”
Peacock, who was freed from jail on July 1, will next appear in court facing rape and molestation charges. He is scheduled to appear in court July 24 for an omnibus hearing. Pretrial is scheduled for Aug. 14. Trial dates are set for Aug. 24 and 25.
The assault charge will next be brought to court July 31 for an omnibus hearing. Pretrial is scheduled for Sept. 11. Trial dates are set for Sept. 21 and 22.
Rosekrans said the five children have been removed from the home and placed in the care of their biological mother.
Rosekrans said an investigation is ongoing, and his office will still sit down with the children before the trial dates.
“We have two potential victims, and the other kids are likely witnesses,” Rosekrans said.
“These cases are always difficult because a lot is always at stake for both sides.”
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
