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Missing girl’s dad had previous molestation charge

This undated photo provided by the FBI shows Jenise Paulette Wright. More than 100 officers from 10 law enforcement agencies are involved in the search for 6-year-old Jenise, who disappeared from her Washington state home over the weekend, sheriff's officials said Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014. (AP Photo/FBI) This undated photo provided by the FBI shows Jenise Paulette Wright. More than 100 officers from 10 law enforcement agencies are involved in the search for 6-year-old Jenise, who disappeared from her Washington state home over the weekend, sheriff's officials said Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014. (AP Photo/FBI)

By Associated Press August 6, 2014 1 min read

BREMERTON, Wash. (AP) – The father of a missing 6-year-old Washington state girl was previously charged with molesting two girls, ages 8 and 15.

Court records show James Wright later pleaded guilty in December 2001 to a misdemeanor assault charge related to the older girl. It was not clear why the molestation charges were dropped. Prosecutors did not immediately return a call Wednesday.

Kitsap County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Wilson said authorities are aware of the charges, which happened in another county. He says the parents have cooperated with the search for Jenise Wright.

Wright was last seen Saturday night at her home. Her family reported her missing Sunday night.

A listed number for James Wright could not be found. The defense attorney who represented him on the previous charges did not return a call.