FERNDALE, Wash. — On March 30, 2026, Merissa G. Saenz, 27, was sentenced in Whatcom County Superior Court after pleading guilty to malicious prosecution and entering an Alford plea to making a false or misleading statement to a public servant. The court suspended a total of 454 days of jail time and $6,000 in fines.

For the count of malicious prosecution, the court imposed 90 days of jail with all 90 days suspended. For the count of making a false or misleading statement to a public servant, Saenz received 364 days of jail with all 364 days suspended. Saenz was also ordered to pay $0 of the $6,000 in fines, as the full amounts were suspended by the court .

According to court documents, the charges followed an investigation into approximately 12 reports made by Saenz to law enforcement agencies between November 2021 and August 2024. Saenz contacted What-COMM 911 and other local agencies to report allegations of physical and sexual abuse against an intimate partner involving 2 children.

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and other local agencies investigated the claims, which included allegations that the partner had used a belt or a fist against the children. Medical examinations at St. Joseph Medical Center and multiple sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) exams found no signs of abuse. In one instance, a reported bruise was determined to be a bite mark sustained at a daycare facility.

Law enforcement determined Saenz made these criminal complaints maliciously to...

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