By Sharon Salyer and Brian Kelly
Herald Writers
A Whidbey Island emergency medical technician has been placed on administrative leave and his professional license suspended by the state after allegedly disclosing he molested a child.
The alleged sexual contact by Albert A. Everett, who also worked as a firefighter, was with a 4-year-old girl, according to state Health Department documents, and occurred on multiple occasions over a period of six to 12 months.
The documents allege that the sexual misconduct occurred "several years ago," but do not list specific dates. They also do not say how Everett knew the young girl, saying only that she was not a patient.
A spokeswoman for the Island County Sheriff’s Office said the department had investigated the case but was unable to proceed because the victim refused to speak with investigators.
Michael Lamar, fire chief for the north division for Island County’s Fire District 2, notified state Health Department officials in a letter written in October of the "self-admission of child molestation" by Everett.
Everett works as a firefighter and emergency medical technician for the fire district, where he has been employed since 1994, and the Puget Sound Federal Fire Department at the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
Fire District 2, which serves the north end of Whidbey Island, is an all-volunteer department that handles approximately 1,200 calls a year.
Everett also does occasional work as an emergency medical technician for Coupeville’s Whidbey General Hospital, according to Lamar’s letter.
Everett could not be reached for comment. State Health Department officials said he is 31, lives in Oak Harbor, and was licensed as an emergency medical technician in Washington in 1998.
He has the right to a hearing on the state’s action suspending his professional license, but he cannot work as an emergency medical technician while his license is suspended.
The head of the state agency that oversees licensing and certification issues for emergency medical technicians, Jack Cvitanovic, said Lamar called him about the child molestation allegations prior to writing the letter.
"I got a call saying, ‘One of my guys came in and broke down and said he had molested a child, a young female, 4 to 5 years of age,’ " Cvitanovic said.
After receiving the letter from Lamar, the state Health Department launched an investigation. "I asked for prompt attention," Cvitanovic said.
After Everett also allegedly admitted the sexual misconduct to a Health Department investigator, the state agency asked for Everett’s license to be immediately suspended, Cvitanovic said.
The order suspending the license was formally approved by a state health law judge on Jan. 4. The document says that a psychologist has been providing therapy to Everett and his spouse.
Jan Smith, spokeswoman for the Island County Sheriff’s Office, said the department investigated the case, but charges were never referred to the prosecutor.
"We were unable to proceed with the investigation," she said, adding that the victim, now 8, refused to speak with investigators.
"We investigated as far as we could," Smith said.
Lamar said Everett is on a leave of absence and was immediately pulled from duty after he admitted his problems on Sept. 7.
"He submitted a letter to the fire district that he was having some personal problems and he would no longer be able to respond to emergencies," Lamar said.
"Our first responsibility is to protect the public," the fire chief said.
"He was also encouraged, and recognized and sought, the need for counseling," Lamar said.
Everett’s future status with the district will not be decided until the state completes its review on the case and the district examines the results, Lamar said.
Whidbey General Hospital declined to comment on Everett’s employment there.
You can call Herald Writer Sharon Salyer at 425-339-3486
or send e-mail to salyer@heraldnet.com.
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