Trial dates set for couple accused of raping foster child

Tribal girl alleged victim

PORT ANGELES — A Forks couple charged with repeatedly raping and molesting their foster daughter pleaded not guilty Friday on multiple sex abuse charges.

David “Barney” Allen, 47, and Irma Perez Allen, 57, are accused of abusing a girl, now 14, for five years while she lived with them as their foster child.

Barney Allen is charged with second- and third-degree child rape and first-degree child molestation.

Irma Allen is charged with third-degree child rape, third-degree child molestation, second-degree assault with a deadly weapon and tampering with a witness.

Five other children lived with the Allens when the couple were arrested Sept. 17.

Irma Allen, under pressure from a woman who had been a foster child of the Allens, called authorities, according to a probable cause statement.

At the time, six children were living with the couple, who had been foster parents at their three-bedroom Chuckhole Way address since 2001.

The Allens bailed themselves out of the Clallam County jail Monday after posting a property bond backed by their 1,800-square-foot Forks-area home.

Barney Allen had been incarcerated on $75,000 bail, Irma on $25,000 bail.

Superior Court Judge Lauren Erickson set status hearing for both defendants for Nov. 20 and a trial date of Dec. 14 Irma Allen and Jan. 4 for Barney Allen.

Conditions for their release include no contact with the six children who lived with them and no contact with any other minors.

The alleged victim is a Hoh tribal member, according to lawyer John Black, representing David Allen.

Quileute child welfare services took part in the investigation, alerting authorities after the girl gave them details of the alleged abuse, according to a probable cause statement.

Hoh child welfare services case manager Bill Plumley took part in the court hearing Friday, speaking on behalf of the Hoh Tribe and the girl in arguing that the Allens should not be allowed on the reservation.

Erickson ruled that the couple would not be allowed on the Hoh or Quileute reservations.

Allen is a Jefferson Transit bus driver whose route is on the West End.

He was put on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case, General Manager Tammi Rubert said in an earlier interview.

The three girls and three boys who were living with the Allens are in the custody of state or tribal child welfare officials, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Roberson said in an earlier interview.

The Allens were raising the maximum number of children allowed in a foster home.

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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@ peninsuladailynews.com.