This news story was updated at 5:42 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Bail was set at $250,000 today for a 22-year-old Morton resident arrested after an 8-year-old boy said he was accosted inside a stall in a public restroom at a Castle Rock ball field.
Steven R. Moulton was booked into jail after the Saturday incident during a baseball tournament for boys 12 and under, according to the Castle Rock Police Department.
An individual heard something going on and beat on the door until it opened up, Castle Rock Acting Sgt. Jeff Gann said today.
“The victim reported he was touched and strangled by the suspect as well as bit,” Gann said.
Steven R. Moulton, Lewis County Superior Court in December 2010
Moulton has been free on a $25,000 signature bond since late last year, accused of a similar assault in Lewis County.
He was charged in November for allegedly crawling under the closed door of an occupied bathroom stall in a Morton park, where the screaming of another 8-year-old boy drew the attention of the child’s grandfather and then police.
Attorneys in that case are still awaiting a competency evaluation from Western State Hospital.
Moulton has not yet been arraigned in the Lewis County case. He has not yet been charged in the Cowlitz County incident.
Cowlitz County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Michelle Shaffer said this afternoon they expect to make a charging decision by the end of the day on Wednesday.
Moulton went before a judge in Cowlitz County today who found probable cause to hold him and appointed an attorney to represent him, she said.
If charged, he is scheduled to be arraigned on July 19, according to Shaffer.
Moulton was summoned to Lewis County Superior Court last November after being charged with a June incident that allegedly occurred in Gust Backstrom Park in Morton.
The child in that case told authorities Moulton covered his mouth with his hand and punched him twice in the face.
Moulton denied hitting the boy, and told police “he could see someone was in the locked stall, but he had to go to the bathroom,” according to charging documents.
His Centralia defense attorney told a judge his client had previously been found not competent due to a developmental disability.
The Lewis County Prosecutors Office charged Moulton with burglary; for unlawfully entering or remaining in a building with the intent to commit a crime.
Deputy Prosecutor Shane O’Rourke – who took over the case from another prosecutor – today said for “whatever reason” it takes Western State a long time to do their evaluations on out-of-custody individuals.
“It just seems like that would be way more than enough time,” he said.
Moulton is expected to go back in front of a Lewis County judge on July 21 to check on the status of the competency review, O’Rourke said.
On Saturday, Moulton was taken to the North County Youth Recreation Complex in Castle Rock by an adult family friend who was keeping an eye on him while his parents were out of town, Castle Rock Sgt. Gann said.
Gann said he couldn’t talk a lot about the incident, because it involves a child and is still an active investigation.
An individual who walked into the men’s room at the park heard what was going on and hollered for someone to call police, Gann said.
An off-duty state patrol detective and an off duty Longview firefighter were at the park and responded, he said.
The boy had minor injuries, which were treated at the scene by the fire department, he said.
Castle Rock police arrested Moulton for second-degree assault of a child, unlawful imprisonment and child molestation, Gann said.
Moulton is also facing charges in Lewis County of threat to bomb for allegedly last November leaving a voice message at Morton Junior High School saying “I’m going to burn the school down, bye”, according to O’Rourke.
•••
Read background:
” ‘Developmental delays’ may put alleged attack in Morton park restroom case on hold” from Friday Nov. 26, 2010, here
“News brief: Developmental disability issue to be examined in alleged park restroom attack case ” from Thursday Dec. 2, 2010, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
THIS MONSTER SHOULD HAVE HIS BALLS CUT OFF,HIS HEART RIPPED OUT AND FUCK IT,WHERES A GUN WHEN U NEED ONE? THERES NO MENTALLY INCOMPETENT ABOUT IT,THATS A COP OUT,,,SO WHO WANTS TO MEET UP AT HIS NEXT COURT APPEARANCE??ILL BRING AMMO,,,LOL,,
This guy is clearly a danger to children and society in general. He should be put down like an animal. Unfortunately, we don’t handle these degenerates the way they should be and he will likely be allowed out to offend again in no time because he is “mentally incompetent” to stand trial. Hopefully, a concerned parent or witness to this perverts crimes will do what the law won’t do and stop him for good.
This is the exact type of person who does not need to be permitted to walk among humanity. However, the liberal system of punishment in this state insists that people like this be given chance after chance after chance….
hes just a s crazy as his dad
This is horrible!! This is a parents nightmare, it really makes me think twice about sending my children anywhere, by them selves. But yes Leslie you are right if this were a dog it would be put down, but we are talking about and human which will more then likely be put either in jail or in a metal hospital, on tax payers dollar. This person is one of parents worst nightmares!! He needs to be locked up and the key forgotten about. People think oh well this is a small town, county, state, ect. but these things happen everywhere!!! From what I see a child is really not save anywhere anymore. Please bless the ones that have been hurt by this man, and when disciplining him please think of those who he has changed for the rest of their lives.
Not competent to be held accountable for his actions? Twice? Oh wait I happen to know that he is competent enough to handle his wn banking account, accourding to his mother, he recieves his own SS checks and handles his own checking account!
This second child that has been attacked could have been prevented had we not used such a BS excuse to let him off, if he is SO incompetent why is he not under 24 hour supervision by his parents or a home for the mentally incompetent? Why are innocent little boys being scared for life because this boy hasn’t recieved what care and help he neds, maybe we should look and see wher he has learned this behavior, maybe it was done to him after all its no secret who his dad is and what his actions where. Our system never seems to amaze me!!
Now 2 children are emotionally damaged because NOBODY did a damn thing!!~ Not even safe to let your child use the bathroom anymore, and hey what about his parents (The Moultons) they knew he had done this before why did they or the person that Stevie was with Not esscort him to the bathroom to be sure he didnt do this again, or better yet why was he at a 12 year old game when he should be considered a pedafile? he is mentally challeged alright and so are the people responsible for him!!
If he is in competent he shouldn’t be left the hell alone especially when there are minor children around him!!
I totally agree as many do, What happend to “an eye for an eye” This needs stoped ! More than half of the inmates are in for sex criimes,. Let the other inmates take care of them for 24 hour’s and then hung them. See how that changes the number of sex crimes..Praying for a change in the law to protect and make a difference.
ya know… if it were a dog bite.. a child.. and ya get him his shots he gets another chance.. then second time. he is put to death. no trial.. no questions asked.. no wondering if the kid did something. just dead…. why do we let these creeps hurt our youth??!!! a bullet is alot cheaper then paying to house them all.! and we just closed maple lane.. and talk of clos9ing others?? yea.. thats in our publics best interest.. right. **rolls eyes. its sad! please god, heal the little ones who are victims….