By RACHEL BRANT

Staff writer

Kitsap County Sheriff’s detectives arrested William E. Miller, 48, of Central Kitsap, at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in Port Orchard for first-degree child rape and first-degree child molestation.

Miller, a senior chief petty officer stationed at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, resides in the Camp Union area and allegedly abused an 8-year-old family member related by marriage.

“We’re just trying to protect the little girl,” said Deputy Scott Wilson, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office spokesman.

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 teacher 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. Mille denied the sexual allegations and requested the presence of his attorney, according to court documents.

Since Tuesday, the child has been returned to her mother, according to Tom Danaher, Naval Base Kitsap spokesman.

“The child has been returned to the mother and the Naval Base Kitsap Fleet and Family Services is standing by to help with intervention where needed,” he said.

Miller made a preliminary appearance in Kitsap County Superior Court yesterday.