Seattle kids counselor pleads guilty to sex abuse

05:11 PM PDT on Friday, August 19, 2005

By CHRIS DANIELS / KING 5 News

SEATTLE - A former children's counselor pleads guilty to child sex abuse in Seattle. Kenneth Bell, who worked at the Children's Home Society of Washington, admitted to a pair of rapes in the late 1990's.

All of this was part of a plea agreement reached Friday, and because of it Bell will most likely avoid long jail time, and instead will face heavy counseling and treatment.

KING 5 News was there as Kenneth Bell admitted, after seven long years he raped a child in his care. "As I just read it to you, is that your statement?” asked the judge.

KING

“Yes sir,” replied Bell.

“As I read it to you, is it true?” asked the judge.

“Yes sir," replied Bell.

The former counselor at the Children's Home Society in north Seattle pleaded guilty to two incidents of child sex abuse at the center in the late 1990’s. The plea agreement with prosecutors means Bell will most likely spend six months in the county jail, and then be turned over to the to special sex offender treatment program.

Bell's attorney says his client is open to treatment, but if the former counselor fails he will be locked up for several years.

The lead prosecutor in this case says the victim and prosecutor's office both agreed Bell was a suitable candidate for the treatment program. In fact, Bell could face more than 13 years in prison if he doesn't complete treatment.

Bell is in custody and will be formally sentenced next month. The Children's Home Society fired Bell after they heard about the allegations. The state cleared the facility of any wrongdoing or liability.