Crime & Safety

Man Arrested On Rape Charge In Lily Christopherson Case: Reports

Christopherson, 15, has been missing since May 9. Police arrested two people earlier this week in connection to her disappearance.

BONNEY LAKE, WA - A third person has been arrested in connection to the disappearance of Bonney Lake 15-year old Lileana "Lily" Christopherson, according to multiple reports. The man was arrested Wednesday in Bonney Lake on a charge of third-degree child rape.

Christopherson was last seen May 9 at her home in Bonney Lake. Police believe she was sold for sex by a 39-year-old sex offender. That man, Christopher Fitzpatrick, was arrested over the Memorial Day weekend along with his companion, Maria Anne Counts, 29. He and Counts are facing charges of kidnapping, promoting sex abuse of a minor, third-degree child rape, possession of child pornography, and providing drugs to a minor. Both have pleaded not guilty to those charges.

According to charging documents, Fitzpatrick raped Christopherson in a hotel room, and later advertised her as a prostitute on the internet.

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Christopherson was last seen over the weekend in the Tacoma-Fife area. The reward for Christopherson's return is now up $5,000, according to the Facebook group Missing Lileana. The group will hold two search events on Saturday. Both events begin at noon.

Image via Missing Lileana

Find out what's happening in Bonney Lake-Sumnerfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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