School Janitor Charged With Raping Student

A school janitor accused of having sex with a 15-year-old student at his home was charged with child rape Friday.

King County prosecutors filed two counts of third-degree child rape against Billy Clyde Kirby Jr., 35, of Seattle. They allege he had sex with the girl, who is now 16, last June and July. The girl is a student at Hazen High School in Renton, where Kirby worked.

“We do not believe there was any physical assault involved, but rather manipulation and grooming of the victim that led to the eventual rape of this child,” said Renton police spokeswoman Penny Bartley.

Kirby is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday. He would face 26-34 months in prison if convicted.

Police learned about the case through a counselor at McKnight Middle School, who learned that the victim’s 12-year-old sister had told friends that an older man had said he wanted to have sex with her.

Prosecutors have filed a third charge against Kirby - communicating with a minor for immoral purposes - regarding his conversation with the victim’s 12-year-old sister, spokesman Dan Donohoe said. That third charge would not affect the sentencing range, he said.