| KOMO News |
| Addiction counselor David Scratchley is accused of attempting to rape a 10-year-old boy |
David Scratchley, a “Christian drug-treatment manager” based in Seattle, has been arrested and charged with attempted rape of a child in the first degree and communication with a minor for immoral purposes. He is being held in the King County Jail on $1 million bail, and is scheduled for arraignment on September 21.
Scratchley, 52, presents himself as an expert on such topics as “power parenting” and “treatment options for addicted teens,” subjects that he has addressed in both books and in online videos, reports Nina Shapiro at Seattle Weekly.
Ironically, the man who is charged with attempting to sexually assault a 10-year-old boy frequently describes himself as a “child safety” expert. 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, executive director at Matt Talbot Center, a “Christian-based” drug-treatment center with a website listing Scratchley as its clinical manager, reports Tracy Vedder at KOMO News.
Prosecutors said there is evidence that may indicate Scratchley has victimized other children.
According to the Addiction Survival Guide website, “Dr. Scratchley is a recognized expert on mental health conditions accompanying addiction and the impact of addiction on the family.”
Scratchley has been showered with awards and simpering approbation by the addiction treatment community, including the John Horngren award for excellent in treatment in Washington state (presented by the Adolescent Chemical Dependency Treatment Providers Association). In 2002, he was recognized by the Chief Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court for his “expertise” in the treatment of addiction.
Despite Dr. Scratchley’s work treating addiction, a woman who told police she was having a relationship with the drug counselor said they got high together on crack cocaine.
The woman friend, according to a police affidavit [PDF], told authorities her boyfriend had tried to draw her into his plan to molest the 10-year-old. She produced a number of text messages allegedly exchanged between Scratchley and herself to back up her claim.
“T.V.,” as Scratchley’s girlfriend is identified in the affidavit, met the boy in the lobby of Scratchley’s apartment building in the Belltown neighborhood of Seattle.
The texts went as follows, according to the affidavit:
Dave (Scratchley): Call me planWitness (apparently T.V.): Can I watch you fuck him first.Witness: Then you tell me what to do.Witness: Can you buy handcuffs?Dave: YesDave: That’s exactly itWitness: Are you sure he’ll do it?Dave: I love it!Dave: For you or for himWitness: Is he really ready, or do you have to groom him more?Dave: No…, owWitness: What is his ass like? Tight?Dave: Tight Ass…tight
Police intervened and talked to the 10-year-old. The boy said that he and his mom know Scratchley from the Talbot Center, the “Christian” drug-treatment center where the doctor works.
