Ferndale Woman Sentenced for Malicious Prosecution and False Statements

In a case highlighting the serious consequences of false police reports, a Ferndale woman has been sentenced in Whatcom County Superior Court after making multiple unfounded abuse allegations against her intimate partner over nearly three years.

Merissa G. Saenz, 27, received a suspended sentence on March 30, 2026, after entering a guilty plea to malicious prosecution and an Alford plea to making false statements to a public servant. An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain innocence while acknowledging prosecutors have sufficient evidence for conviction.

The court suspended all jail time—90 days for malicious prosecution and 364 days for false statements—totaling 454 days. Additionally, $6,000 in potential fines were fully suspended, meaning Saenz will not pay any financial penalties unless she violates the terms of her probation.

Court documents reveal that between November 2021 and August 2024, Saenz contacted What-COMM 911 and other local agencies approximately 12 times, reporting allegations of physical and sexual abuse against her partner involving two children.

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, alongside other local law enforcement agencies, conducted thorough investigations into each report. Saenz’s allegations included claims that her partner had struck the children with a belt or fist.

Medical professionals at St. Joseph Medical Center performed multiple examinations, including specialized sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) assessments. These medical evaluations consistently found no evidence supporting Saenz’s abuse allegations.

In one particularly revealing instance, what Saenz reported as a bruise from abuse was determined to be a bite mark the child had received at daycare—information that was documented and verifiable through the childcare facility.

Following their extensive investigation, law enforcement officials concluded that Saenz had filed these reports maliciously with the intent to cause her partner’s arrest for crimes he did not commit. This pattern of false reporting constitutes a serious misuse of emergency services and law enforcement resources.

False abuse allegations represent a significant burden on the criminal justice system. According to national statistics, investigating unfounded reports diverts critical resources from genuine cases and costs taxpayers millions annually. In Whatcom County alone, each thorough child abuse investigation can cost thousands in personnel hours and resources.

The case also highlights the emotional and reputational damage false accusations can inflict on the accused. Being targeted by multiple reports of child abuse can lead to social stigma, employment difficulties, and psychological distress—even after being cleared of wrongdoing.

Child welfare experts emphasize that false reports can also damage the credibility of genuine abuse allegations, potentially making authorities more skeptical of legitimate cases. This creates a dangerous dynamic where actual victims might face increased scrutiny.

The Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office has not released information about whether Saenz will face additional requirements such as mandatory counseling or supervised probation as part of her sentence.

The suspended sentence approach allows the court to hold the threat of incarceration over Saenz while giving her an opportunity to demonstrate reformed behavior. Should she violate the terms of her probation or commit similar offenses, the court could impose the original jail time and fines.

Law enforcement officials remind the public that while reporting suspected abuse is critically important, making deliberately false reports is a serious crime that carries significant legal consequences.

The case serves as a reminder of the balance the justice system must maintain: encouraging legitimate reporting of suspected abuse while deterring malicious false allegations that harm individuals and waste valuable public resources.