Abuse suspect kills himself

DAVID BURGER and CHRISTINA SOSA

A Bakersfield man about to be arrested on multiple molestation charges shot himself to death Thursday morning in the back yard of his Rosedale home, police said.

Stephan Anthony Erbacher, 44, was the father of Justin Erbacher, who himself has been charged with nearly two dozen felony counts of various sexual abuse.

The pending arrest of the senior Erbacher involved the suspected molestation of two female children under the age of 14, police said.

Erbacher would have been arrested on two counts of ongoing sexual abuse of a child, and likely several other specific sexual abuse charges, BPD Detective Mary DeGeare said.

DeGeare wouldn't reveal whether the father's alleged victims were the same as the son's, citing the need to protect the children's identity.

Stephan Erbacher was well acquainted with the kids, she said.

Erbacher was found with a gunshot wound to his head in the back yard of his house in the 2900 block of Redwood Hill Court, the coroner's office said.

Kern County sheriff's Sgt. Richard Wood said he could not release the type or caliber of gun Erbacher used because an investigation is ongoing.

Before reaching the house, police learned of the apparent suicide by Kern County sheriff's deputies who were independently responding to the home for the suicide report, police reported.

Police and sheriff's officials said they didn't know if Erbacher knew he was about to be arrested or if he killed himself for another reason.

Police hadn't questioned Stephan Erbacher about the allegations, DeGeare said.

"The allegations were made yesterday," she said. "Our investigation into those allegations provided us with enough probable cause to arrest him. We gave him no indication we were coming."

The investigation is separate from that of Justin Erbacher, police said.

Stephan Erbacher had no adult criminal record in Kern County, according to Superior Court databases.

The younger Erbacher, 22, has been charged with 23 felony counts of various sexual abuse crimes involving five girls, ages 5 to 13, during the past five years. The oldest alleged victim has been arrested on suspicion of 15 felony counts of sexual abuse in connection with this case, police say.

Justin Erbacher is being held at Lerdo jail on $400,000 bail and was likely notified of his father's death by a jail chaplain, Wood said.

Wood said he could not release whether Justin Erbacher was on any type of suicide watch.

Erbacher has declined multiple requests for interviews.

Stephan Erbacher and his wife have been foster parents in Kern County for more than 10 years, according to Department of Human Services spokeswoman Barbara Zimmermann.

Despite several cars parked in front of the Erbacher home in the gated community, no one answered the door Thursday afternoon. The home was at the end of a cul-de-sac.

Two strollers -- one pink, the other lime-green -- were parked on the front step of the house. A sign was lying in the shrubs next to the front door, which read: "Mimi & Papa's House -- Cookies & Milk -- Kids Spoiled Here -- Hugs & Kisses."

Neighbors around the small cul-de-sac hovered near their front doors in the afternoon heat, refusing to talk to reporters. The only activity was a gardening crew, tending to the immaculately edged lawns several doors down from the Erbachers.

Edith Cameron, a maid for a home at the end of the cul-de-sac, said the suicide and accompanying stories were a shock to the quiet neighborhood.

"Oh, heavens no," Cameron said after asked if she had ever heard of any bad things happening in the neighborhood.

"Maybe in east Bakersfield," she said. "That's where I live."