Lacey man pleads guilty to rape of adopted child

A 51-year-old Lacey man pleaded guilty Thursday to three counts of first-degree child rape of his adopted 7-year-old daughter.

Eddy Tony Whisenhunt, a former bus driver for Intercity Transit, faces a potential sentence of between 18 years and life in prison. His sentencing is set for January. He entered his plea Thursday before Thurston County Superior Court Judge Gary Tabor.

Whisenhunt’s wife, Donna Marie, also faces child-rape charges for her alleged abuse of the girl. Her case is pending.

The girl was adopted by the couple shortly after her birth in China, Lacey Police Lt. Jim Mack has said. The sexual abuse occurred over a four-year period.

The abuse was discovered after the girl told a school counselor, court papers state.

The child was placed in the custody of Child Protective Services after the couple’s arrest in May.