CLARKSTON, WA — A 27-year-old woman was arrested Sunday evening on charges of first-degree child molestation following an alleged incident at Arnold Park in Clarkston.
Shyann Michelle Sotelo was taken into custody at approximately 8:40 p.m. on July 20, 2025, at the intersection of 13th Street and Ash Street, according to arrest documents filed by the Clarkston Police Department.
The incident began when a mother called police to report that her 10-year-old son had been inappropriately touched by a woman at Arnold Park, located at 1227 Maple Street. The child told his mother that a woman who claimed to work for Child Protective Services had touched his private parts.
According to the police report, the reporting officer had previously encountered Sotelo twice during his shift that day. When dispatched to the park, the officer quickly identified Sotelo walking southbound on 13th Street, matching the description provided by the caller.
When questioned by police, Sotelo allegedly denied touching any children and stated she had told the children she was “a student trying to work for CPS,” not that she worked for the agency.
According court documents, the child reported that Sotelo had allegedly approached him from behind while he was shirtless, wearing only basketball shorts. The boy told police that Sotelo was “rubbing her hands all over my body” and touching his upper thigh area. He reported feeling the tip of her fingers touch his genitals while she was “moaning and acting weird.”
The report states that two other children witnessed the incident and observed Sotelo wanting to hug and touch the victim. According to witnesses, Sotelo also asked the child if he wanted her to walk him home.
Sotelo was transported to the Asotin County Jail where she was booked on the first-degree child molestation charge. Under Washington state law, the charge applies when a perpetrator is at least 36 months older than a victim under 12 years old.
