A former Black Diamond resident is finally getting his day in court for allegedly poisoning and molesting his stepchildren.

The tragic story began Oct. 12, 2019, when Black Diamond Police Officers were called to the home of Allen W. Bittner, 38, who was performing CPR on one of his stepdaughters.

According to officers, Bittner told them that he was giving his stepdaughter a “breathing treatment” when she started vomiting and lost consciousness. Officers asked Bittner for what was being used for the treatment, and he gave them an empty, unlabeled bottle and a soaked cloth.

Bittner allegedly told officers the breathing treatment was something he learned in the Navy and was meant to “open the airway and kill bacteria,” and that he was using it on his stepdaughter because she has having shortness of breath. However, when asked about where he got the treatment, Bittner only told officers that he received it from “John” at his workplace, with no last name or contact information.

On Oct. 18, the Washington State Patrol crime lab completed its analysis of the bottle and the soaked cloth and determined the chemicals being used were chloroform and acetone. A search warrant was obtained for Bittner’s cell phone and laptop, and Bittner allegedly had made several internet searches for how to make chloroform and its effects a week prior to the child being poisoned.

Bittner was officially charged with assault in the second degree on Nov. 14, 2019. He was issued a no-contact order after posting bail, which he “promptly violated,” court documents read. Bittner was re-arrested and posted bail again, pending his Nov. 27, 2019 arraignment hearing.

Bittner didn’t show for his arraignment, as “he was hospitalized for an apparent suicide attempt,” court documents continue.

On the same day as his arraignment, both the stepdaughter that was poisoned and her sister told investigators they had been sexually molested by Bittner for at least two years. The children said Bittner allegedly watched them shower and change clothes, and would touch them; if they expressed discomfort, would say his actions were a part of “American culture.” He also allegedly encouraged the children to not trust Child Protective Services or the police.

Officers also found search results on Bittner’s cell phone of what appeared to be minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, probable cause documents read.

Bittner was charged with two counts of first degree child molestation, second degree rape of a child, and second degree child molestation on Dec. 4, 2019.

He has pled not guilty to all charges; his trial date is currently set for Feb. 27.