Girl arrested in abuse case

CHRISTINA SOSA AND DAVID BURGER

A 13-year-old girl has been arrested on more than a dozen felony sexual assault charges in what's alleged to be a years-long, harrowing abuse case, police said Friday.

The girl's name was not released because of her age and is being held in Juvenile Hall, officials said.

The girl was arrested April 7 on 15 felony counts of sexual assault, Bakersfield police Detective Ryan Paslay said.

It was in connection with the investigation of 22-year-old Justin Erbacher of Bakersfield, who was arrested April 4 on charges he molested five girls, all under the age of 14, over nearly five years, police and court records say.

Paslay would not say if the 13-year-old girl who was arrested is the same 13-year-old girl who was identified as one of Erbacher's alleged victims.

"This arrest was related to the investigation and arrest of Justin Erbacher," Paslay said. "I have not said what 13-year-old we have arrested."

Bakersfield Assistant Police Chief Bryan Lynn said he felt trepidation about releasing specific charges for fear it would hamper the ongoing investigation.

Erbacher remained in the Lerdo jail Friday after his bail was increased to $400,000 Wednesday.

Erbacher is charged with 23 various counts of sexual abuse, including continuous sexual abuse of a child, sodomy, oral copulation and lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 years old.

The police learned of the allegations when it was called to a home of a suicidal abuse victim earlier this month, police reports filed in Kern County Superior Court say.

One of Erbacher's alleged victims had revealed the abuse to an older family member, then threatened to kill herself because she was afraid she'd be in trouble, police said in the documents.

The five alleged victims are 13, 11, 10, 9 and 5 years old.

The Californian does not identify alleged victims of sexual assault.

At least one of the victims lived in a foster home. The foster parents declined to comment Friday.