California serial child molester granted parole. Victims are outraged - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
by Clara HarterFebruary 22, 2026
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A notorious California child molester, David Allen Funston, who was convicted in 1999 of 16 counts of kidnapping and child molestation, has been granted elderly parole, sparking outrage among his victims and the prosecutor who handled his case. Funston, now 64, used tactics like offering candy and toys to lure children into his vehicle, where he subjected them to severe abuse. Despite being sentenced to multiple life terms, including three consecutive 25-year-to-life sentences, he is set to be released under California’s elderly parole program, which typically considers inmates over 50 who have served at least two decades behind bars.
Funston’s crimes included luring a 4-year-old girl with a Barbie doll and taking her to a house where he threatened her with a knife, bathed her, and sexually assaulted her. He also targeted other young victims, including
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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/22/2026