Grandmother pleads not guilty to Kent child molestation

A 54-year-old Auburn grandmother pleaded not guilty Tuesday to three counts of first-degree child molestation in connection with the alleged abuse of three children who stayed with her while she lived in Kent. Rose Marie Johnson entered the plea at King County Superior Court in Seattle, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

  • BY Wire Service
  • Tuesday, August 24, 2010 6:36pm
  • News

A 54-year-old Auburn grandmother pleaded not guilty Tuesday to three counts of first-degree child molestation in connection with the alleged abuse of three children who stayed with her while she lived in Kent.

Rose Marie Johnson entered the plea at King County Superior Court in Seattle, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. She is scheduled to return to court Sept. 7 when a trial date could be set or attorneys from either side could ask for more time to prepare the case.

Johnson had been scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 23, but instead ended up at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with an undisclosed illness or injury. Johnson remained Tuesday at the county jail in Seattle. Bail was set at $150,000.

King County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Johnson on a warrant Aug. 17 at her Auburn home.

Prosecutors filed charges Aug. 9 against Johnson, also known as Rose M. Harris. Prosecutors have requested that Johnson be ordered to have no contact with any of the victims.

The alleged abuse occurred between 2001 and 2005 while Johnson lived in at least three apartment complexes in Kent, according to charging papers. She also moved during those years to homes in Auburn and Federal Way.

One of the children, now 12, disclosed during a March investigation by Auburn Police that several years ago Johnson had made her consume human feces and urine as a form of punishment if the children did not have sexual contact with each other while Johnson watched. Johnson lived in Kent at that time.

The child told police the alleged abuse started when two of the children were ages 4 and 5.

Johnson reportedly paid the children $5 to have sexual contact with each other. The children told detectives they knew what Johnson made them do was wrong but they feared being “whooped” by Johnson if they refused to perform the sexual acts.




Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Courtesy Photo, King County
Prolific tagger faces charges for damage to Kent water tower

Man one of dozens who reportedly tagged properties across King County, including West Hill tower

t
Federal Way man charged in Kent I-5 crash that killed passenger

Documents state that evidence reportedly showed he was the driver, but he blamed the passenger.

The Kent Police Department went all out with their “Moana” themed display - even Maui showed up. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
The Hogwarts Express pulls into Battle of the Badges | Photos

The 2024 Battle of the Badges took over the Renton Technical College on Dec. 14.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
City of Kent crime numbers drop in 2024 compared to 2023

Vehicle thefts, commercial burglaries and robberies see big decreases

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent School District says it ‘will do better next time’ with school closures

Late notifications issued about closures after Dec. 18 windstorm

t
Kent Police arrest pair for downtown robbery of pedestrian

Reportedly used pepper spray to attack Kent man, 56, as he walked on sidewalk Dec. 16

Meeker Middle School, one of six schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the Kent School District due to power outages from a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Windstorm causes closure of six Kent schools due to power outages

Four elementary, two middle schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18; couple of city roads closed

Volunteers wrap gifts during the 2023 Toys for Joy program. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Puget Sound Fire puts out plea for more Toys for Joy donations

Toys needed for children ages 9 to 12; more bikes, scooters requested; deadline is Dec. 20

t
Kent man, 19, faces multiple charges after pursuit near Wenatchee

Driver reportedly fails to stop for state trooper, crashes stolen vehicle along State Route 97

Kent School District Board Director Awale Farah, left, and Superintendent Israel Vela at a high school graduation last summer. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Awale Farah resigns immediately from Kent School Board

Says because of ‘family commitments’ he cannot fulfill rest of his term that expires in November 2025

t
Kent’s Lower Russell Levee project receives John Spellman Award

City, King County Flood District and other partners recognized for historic preservation

Northwood Middle School, 17007 SE 184th St., in unincorporated part of King County in Renton and part of the Kent School District. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Calls about man trying to access Northwood Middle School causes lockdown

Deputies arrest man for investigation of resisting arrest, obstruction at Kent School District property