Full Breakdown
Third Arrest Made in Vancouver Child Molestation Investigation
5/9/2026, 7:07:06 AM
Third Suspect Arrest
May 7, 2026, detectives served a search warrant at home and arrested 61-year-old William J. Sneiderwine, booked into Clark County Jail on charges of Conspiracy to Commit Child Molestation I and Tampering with Physical Evidence. The arrest follows April 29 detention of Chad Hartley and May 2 death of pediatrician Michael R. Wilmington, who hosted “naked sleepovers” with children.
Probe Origins
The probe began in February 2026 after a cyber tip from National Center for Missing and Exploited Children linked child sexual abuse material to a Vancouver IP. Detectives identified Hartley during a pedestrian stop on April 29, leading to his arrest on child pornography and molestation charges. Wilmington, described as “affiliated with multiple medical facilities,” was charged with child molestation before his death was ruled an apparent suicide.
Key Individuals
- William J. Sneiderwine – suspect, 1998 conviction.
- Chad Hartley – assistant at PeaceHealth Fisher’s Landing clinic; arrested April 29.
- Dr. Michael R. Wilmington – pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente’s Salmon Creek office; deceased May 2.
Timeline
- February 2026 – Cyber tip from NCMEC links CSAM to a Vancouver IP.
- April 29 – Chad Hartley arrested after a pedestrian stop.
- May 7 – William J. Sneiderwine arrested.
Data & Statistics
The investigation involves VPD, Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Children’s Justice Center, resulting in three arrests and one death.
Why It Matters
The case underscores the role of cyber-tip lines and digital forensics in disrupting child-exploitation networks and raises concerns about suspects destroying evidence, prompting calls for data-preservation protocols.
Official Statements
VPD officials said investigation is active and that no details will be released to protect integrity. Clark County prosecutors noted Sneiderwine’s prior conviction and called evidence-destruction aggravating. Lewis County Sheriff’s Office confirmed jurisdiction over Wilmington’s death and is conducting inquiry.
Conflicts & Gaps
Source 1 spells “Clark County Jail,” while Source 2 uses “Clack County jail.” Source 1 lists cyber tip year as 2026; Source 2 omits it. Bail appears in Source 2. No details have been released about evidence that led to Sneiderwine’s arrest.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The defendant was aware of his two friends having warrants done on their homes last week and then took steps to destroy his own evidence prior to VPD coming to his house yesterday,” — Laurel Smith, senior deputy prosecuting attorney
- “affiliated with multiple medical facilities” — Vancouver Police Department
- “The Vancouver Police Department states that the investigation is active and ongoing, and no further information is releasable at this time to protect the integrity of the case.” — Vancouver Police Department
- “naked sleepovers” — police
What's Next
Sneiderwine is scheduled for a bail hearing on Monday. VPD and agencies will continue analyzing digital evidence and have asked public to report information about unsupervised contact involving the three suspects.
