Marin County's deputy chief coroner was arrested last week on accusations of multiple counts related to child molestation, as first reported by the Marin Independent Journal and confirmed by police.
Darrell Harris, 46, of San Rafael committed offenses ranging from continued sexual abuse to lewd acts involving an underage girl in Marin over the course of several years.
"We are deeply saddened and troubled by Mr. Harris' arrest," the Marin County Sheriff's Office wrote in a statement. "Our thoughts are with the victim during this difficult time."
The deputy chief coroner faces one count of sexual abuse involving a girl under the age of 14, according to police. The alleged molestation occurred at least three times between May 2008 and May 2011, the newspaper reported. Other counts are related to lewd acts and oral sex with the girl between 2011 and 2015. A final count accuses Harris of sexual battery involving the same girl between May 2015 and March 2017.
In court Monday, defense attorney Douglas Horngrad said he is convinced after meeting with his client that Harris is innocent.
"The unanimous reaction is shock, and no one believes it to be true," Horngrad said. "Mr. Harris’ family does not believe it to be true."
Harris' wife and son were in court Monday.
Harris was arrested last Thursday in Humboldt County by Santa Rosa police after the Marin County District Attorney's Office filed the criminal complaints, according to police. Despite the crimes occurring in Marin, the criminal investigation was conducted by the Santa Rosa Police Department because of Harris' association with Marin authorities.
Harris was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Humboldt County Jail, according to police. He was arraigned in Marin County Superior Court Monday morning. His bail has been set at $750,000.
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Harris has worked in Marin County since 2003. Back in 2008, he was dubbed as the investigator of the year by the California State Coroners' Association.
Editor's Note: There is only one alleged victim in this case. A previous report indicated that multiple victims may have been involved.
