EVERETT — A Seattle police officer is suspected of molesting a former girlfriend’s daughter for years and convincing others she was lying about the abuse.

Eric Amadeo Smith, 57, was arrested Monday for investigation of first-degree child molestation and communication with a minor for immoral purposes.

Smith has been a police officer for more than 20 years. He appeared briefly in Everett District Court on Tuesday where his bail was set at $150,000. He has not been charged.

Smith lives in Bothell. The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office began investigating early last month after the girl, 12, told her health class teacher and principal that she’d been the victim of inappropriate touching from 2009 to 2013, according to a report prepared by detectives.

The investigation found that the girl has been telling people since she was 7 that Smith had molested her. Detectives also found that she’d at least once recanted the allegations after Smith challenged her in front of her mother.

The girl has since provided detailed statements to investigators, who confirmed through interviews with her mother and a friend that the child has repeatedly alleged mistreatment over the years.

“Smith is currently a police officer with the Seattle Police Department on administrative leave,” detectives wrote. “Smith sexually abused a vulnerable child who he had control over. The abuse allegedly occurred for a period of four years with multiple offenses.”

Scott North: 425-339-3431, north@heraldnet.com.