VENTURA : Parents Sue Over Child’s Molestation

The parents of a 3-year-old Ventura girl have sued Ventura County, a county social worker and the owners of a day-care center, claiming that their negligence allowed a 13-year-old boy to molest the toddler.

The suit, filed last week in Ventura County Superior Court, says the parents frequently left their daughter at a day-care home operated by Carolyn and Gerald Emshwiller on Gorrion Avenue in Ventura.

For several months last year, the Emshwillers were considering becoming foster parents of a 13-year-old boy who was in the custody of the county’s Department of Public Social Services, the suit says. The boy, who was living in a group home, made frequent visits to the Emshwillers’ house, the suit says.

Dennis LaRochelle, attorney for the 3-year-old and her parents, said county officials and employees of the group home knew that the youth had a history of molesting children. LaRochelle said he does not know how the youth came to be in county custody.

The attorney said the abuse was discovered last Oct. 4 after the 3-year-old complained to her parents, and the 13-year-old admitted molesting her. He has pleaded guilty to committing lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, LaRochelle said, and is being held at the Frank A. Colston Youth Center in Ventura.

LaRochelle said the 3-year-old is undergoing psychotherapy.

The Emshwillers could not be reached for comment. The State Department of Social Services has initiated proceedings aimed at revoking the day-care center’s license.