REDDING, Calif. — Robert Barber, a convicted child sexual predator who was sentenced to more than 50 years in prison for abusing young boys in Shasta County, was denied parole Friday.
The California Board of Parole Hearings denied Barber’s release following an Elder Parole hearing, according to the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office.
The DA’s office has not yet received the board’s written ruling, which will include the exact length of the parole denial. However, the board said during its verbal ruling that Barber will not be eligible for another parole hearing until he is at least 90 years old.
The board considered letters from the community, input from Barber’s victims, and what it described as his continuing risk to children in Shasta County, according to the DA’s office.
Barber, 86, was convicted in 2000 of 32 counts of child molestation. Prosecutors said he spent years gaining the trust of victims’ parents before abusing the children. The crimes dated back to the 1960s.
Barber fled in the 1990s after one of his victims came forward. He was later captured in Mexico after being featured on “America’s Most Wanted.”
The DA’s office previously asked the community to submit letters opposing Barber’s release. More than 50 letters were submitted ahead of his previous parole hearing, which was also denied.
The letters were resubmitted ahead of Friday’s hearing. One of Barber’s surviving victims also spoke during the hearing.
The Shasta County District Attorney’s Office called Friday’s decision a victory for Barber’s victims and credited Senior Deputy District Attorney Kelly Kafel for her work opposing his release.
Barber remains incarcerated.
