'It's upsetting... it's very upsetting'
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SEATTLE -- A prominent substance abuse counselor is under arrest, accused of trying to rape a 10-year-old boy.
Charges may come in the next few days.
David Scratchley has written several books on parenting and substance abuse, produced numerous webcasts, and is Clinical Manager at the Matt Talbot Center, which treats adults.
But Scratchley himself says in his own webinars that his specialty is kids.
"I care for people of all ages but I specialize in the care of adolescents who've become involved with such things as drugs or alcohol," he said during a webinar.
On Friday, police arrested Scratchley at his Belltown apartment and say they found a 10-year-old boy there.
According to court documents, a witness said Scratchley had been grooming the boy for a sexual assault.
"We are surprised by the charge, because we had no indication of anything like that," said Gregory Alex, Matt Talbot executive director.
The documents also say the boy is the son of a woman getting treatment at Matt Talbot.
"I find it tragic that someone like that would be in the center and victimize someone who comes into the center," said neighbor Sunny Sweet. "If it is true, it's contemptible."
Court documents allege that Scratchley used crack cocaine, and the boy saw "little white rocks" on the counter. The Matt Talbot Center does not test its workers for substance abuse.
"It's very upsetting, it's very unsettling," said recovering addict Tina Berkley.
Berkley says most rehab centers drug test their staff.
"I think something could have been and should have been done about that, like... drug-testing staff," she said.
Scratchley declined to appear at a hearing this weekend, where the judge refused to grant bail.
Prosecutors expect to file charges by Wednesday.
Prosecutors also say there's evidence Scratchley may have victimized other children. And while Scratchley refers to himself as "doctor" the only state license we could find for him is as a "chemical dependency professional trainee".
Charges may come in the next few days.
David Scratchley has written several books on parenting and substance abuse, produced numerous webcasts, and is Clinical Manager at the Matt Talbot Center, which treats adults.
But Scratchley himself says in his own webinars that his specialty is kids.
"I care for people of all ages but I specialize in the care of adolescents who've become involved with such things as drugs or alcohol," he said during a webinar.
On Friday, police arrested Scratchley at his Belltown apartment and say they found a 10-year-old boy there.
According to court documents, a witness said Scratchley had been grooming the boy for a sexual assault.
"We are surprised by the charge, because we had no indication of anything like that," said Gregory Alex, Matt Talbot executive director.
The documents also say the boy is the son of a woman getting treatment at Matt Talbot.
"I find it tragic that someone like that would be in the center and victimize someone who comes into the center," said neighbor Sunny Sweet. "If it is true, it's contemptible."
Court documents allege that Scratchley used crack cocaine, and the boy saw "little white rocks" on the counter. The Matt Talbot Center does not test its workers for substance abuse.
"It's very upsetting, it's very unsettling," said recovering addict Tina Berkley.
Berkley says most rehab centers drug test their staff.
"I think something could have been and should have been done about that, like... drug-testing staff," she said.
Scratchley declined to appear at a hearing this weekend, where the judge refused to grant bail.
Prosecutors expect to file charges by Wednesday.
Prosecutors also say there's evidence Scratchley may have victimized other children. And while Scratchley refers to himself as "doctor" the only state license we could find for him is as a "chemical dependency professional trainee".
