Daniel Holdren - Repeat Sex Offender - Molested Girl at Church

A 45-year-old registered sex offender has been arrested on suspicion of attempted first-degree child molestation after an 11-year-old girl said the man molested her at church functions at the Church of the Nazarene in Yelm, according to the Yelm Police Department.

Daniel Holdren, 45, was being held at the Thurston County Jail on Monday night on suspicion of three counts of attempted first-degree child molestation pending a “safe-to-be-at-large” evaluation. During such an evaluation, a health care professional interviews a defendant to determine any public safety concerns if that defendant were to be released from custody.

Yelm Police Chief Todd Stancil said Monday that police fear there might be more alleged victims who haven’t come forward yet.

He said Holdren’s alleged acts of molestation against the 11-year-old started occurring in July “at church-type functions.”

Holdren was arrested Saturday after the girl came forward with her allegations.

“We’re expecting there’s more,” Stancil said. “We believe there’s probably additional incidents like this.”

Stancil said anyone with additional information should contact the Yelm Police Department at 360-458-5701.

Holdren has been classified as a Level 2 sex offender since 1988, when he was charged with indecent liberties, and later in 2003 when he was charged with communication with a minor for immoral purposes, according to Yelm police. Holdren has been on supervised probation since that time.

Holdren didn’t work at the Church of the Nazarene but attended services there, Stancil said. Stancil said the alleged molestation occurred at events such as dinners and other church functions, and occurred in the area of the church itself.

Stancil said there was nothing in Holdren’s probationary requirements that would prevent him from having contact with children at the church.

Stancil said Holdren engaged in “grooming” behaviors at the church, giving potential victims gifts and other items to gain their trust.

A man who answered the phone at the Church of the Nazarene hung up when contacted by The Olympian on Monday.

"25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years"
.........Sarah Tofte