Sacramento, CA (March 4, 2026) — Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick joined colleagues in sending a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom expressing profound outrage over the California Board of Parole Hearings’ decision to reaffirm parole suitability for David Allen Funston — a convicted serial child predator responsible for 16 counts of kidnapping and sexual assault against multiple children under the age of seven.
Funston, sentenced to more than 20 years plus three consecutive life terms, was cleared for release under California’s expanded Elderly Parole Program. The program was originally established under Assembly Bill 1448 and later expanded by Assembly Bill 3234, lowering eligibility to age 50 and 20 years served.
“The release of a serial child predator is not a close call. It is a catastrophic failure of the system,” said Assemblymember Hadwick. “When individuals who committed heinous crimes against children are deemed ‘suitable’ for release, it sends a chilling message to families across California. Public safety must come first.”
