Federal Way school district teacher pleads not guilty to child rape

A Sunnycrest Elementary teacher accused of child rape and incest recently pleaded not guilty to the charges at King County Superior Court.

A Sunnycrest Elementary teacher accused of child rape and incest recently pleaded not guilty to the charges at King County Superior Court.

Second grade teacher Patrick Michael Belser, 44, is being held at the Regional Justice Center on $150,000 bail for two counts of third-degree rape against a child, one count of child molestation in the first degree, and one count of first-degree incest.

Belser was arrested, put on paid administrative leave and charged last month for allegations surrounding sexual abuse against three boys, one of whom is Belser’s relative.

According to charging documents, Belser’s relative said the abuse started when he was 12 years old during a summer break.

He allegedly abused him every summer, about five to six times. Now an adult, the victim said the last sexual assault occurred when he was 17 years old.

Detectives also interviewed two other male victims, who are unrelated to the suspect. Those victims told police that Belser allegedly performed sex acts on them and inappropriately touched them.

Detectives and school officials do not believe any children were affected but urge parents to come forward if they notice any behavior that makes them think their student might be struggling in regard to these charges.