Molestation charge for former staffer of Mukilteo YMCA

Published 9:59 pm Thursday, January 28, 2010

EVERETT — Mukilteo YMCA’s former summer camp director is accused of groping a 10-year-old girl who attended a program at Picnic Point Elementary School in June.

Prosecutors on Thursday charged Claudio Roberto Compos Coimbra, 49, with first-degree child molestation.

Coimbra is accused of sexually touching a girl in June while she was seated at a table in the school’s gym, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Lisa Paul wrote in charging documents.

The girl on June 19 told a counselor that Coimbra was “bugging her,” Paul wrote. The counselor reported the child’s concerns to a supervisor, court papers said.

The girl also told her mother that she felt uncomfortable around Coimbra. The girl’s mother told YMCA staff.

The girl’s allegations were discovered while police were investigating allegations that Coimbra had inappropriately touched a 6-year-old boy. The boy’s sister was aware of the incident involving the 10-year-old girl and reported it to a child interview specialist. Investigators interviewed the 10-year-old and she told them that Coimbra had groped her, Paul wrote.

Detectives interviewed Coimbra and he denied touching the girl or boy, court papers said.

Coimbra was suspended and hasn’t worked at the facility since Aug. 13, when the allegations were brought to the attention of staff, said Martin Cross, the executive director of the Mukilteo YMCA.

Cross said that the YMCA requires employees to undergo criminal background checks. There are extensive policies and procedures for child abuse prevention, he said.

“There has not been an incident like this in the 16-year history of the Mukilteo YMCA,” Cross said.

The facility will review its policies and if there is any way to strengthen them, staff will make sure that happens, he said.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463, hefley@heraldnet.com.