Man Who Set His Son on Fire Will Be Paroled
Charles David Rothenberg, who set his son afire eight years ago in a Buena Park motel, will be paroled today from a Northern California prison, his destination a closely guarded secret.
His release from the maximum-security Pelican Bay state prison near Oregon ends an eight-month sentence for a parole violation he committed last September.
In addition to wearing an electronic anklet that will alert officials when he removes it or leaves a predetermined range, Rothenberg will be under 24-hour “physical supervision,” said Tipton C. Kindel, spokesman for the Department of Corrections, which oversees the state’s prison system.
Kindel said Rothenberg will not be released in Southern California, where his 14-year-old son, his former wife and her husband live. He has been prohibited from contacting them and has indicated he will make no attempt to do so.
On March 3, 1983, Rothenberg, seeking revenge against his ex-wife, tried to kill his son by burning the boy to death. He had custody of David, then 6, for a week’s vacation.
David suffered third-degree burns over 90% of his body. He has received extensive skin grafting--the latest six weeks ago.
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