Teen sues missing MB man in molestation case
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By Denise Nix CRIME: Daniel Farinholt, who is suspected of faking his death to avoid charges, is named in suit along with Contra Costa County. A Manhattan Beach man believed to have faked his own death to dodge child molestation charges has been sued by one of his alleged victims. The now 14-year-old girl, whose identity is being withheld to protect her privacy, filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court against Daniel James Farinholt. The girl and her mother, identified in court papers only as Diana, also named the Northern California city of Brentwood, its police department and Contra Costa County as defendants for allegedly conducting a poor investigation of child molestation accusations against Farinholt 10 years ago. In May 1993, Diana reported a suspected incident of child abuse by Farinholt against the girl to Contra Costa County. The case was referred to the Brentwood Police Department, which deemed the allegations unfounded and closed the case on May 25, 1993. A few days later, Farinholt’s counselor told a Contra Costa County employee that Farinholt admitted he molested the girl on several occasions. The case was re-opened, although Diana was never informed about the admission or the investigation’s status change, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit claims, however, that the investigation did not continue because Farinholt told authorities he had cancer; which was true, and that he had only a 5 percent chance of living longer than six months, which was not his true prognosis. Farinholt allegedly continued to molest the girl until she was in the fifth grade. In January 2002, she told Diana about the abuse. She kept the abuse to herself because Farinholt threatened her, the lawsuit adds. Diana reported Farinholt to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which arrested him. Soon after, Diana received a 1993 report from the Brentwood police, and learned for the first time that it had re-opened the investigation and that Farinholt admitted molesting the girl. “Had Diana been informed of Farinholt’s admission in 1993, she would never have allowed him near (the girl) again,” the lawsuit states. “Defendants failed to so warn plaintiffs, thus allowing them to be placed in a position where further molestations could occur.” Brentwood and Contra Costa County were sued for negligence and for allegedly violating Diana and the girl’s civil rights. “I think it’s a fascinating case because it really goes back 10 or 15 years in time, and it shows the dramatic impact a botched police investigation can have on someone’s life,” said attorney David M. Ring, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of Diana and the girl. Contra Costa County Counsel Silvano Marchesi said the county has not been served with the lawsuit and could not comment on it. A message left for officials in Brentwood on Wednesday was not returned. The lawsuit claims unlawful child sexual abuse against Farinholt, who has been missing since late May when a power boat he was planning to purchase was found anchored and sinking a half mile off the El Segundo breakwater. The former Laguna Nigel resident, who reportedly moved to the El Porto area of Manhattan Beach, was arrested March 22 and charged in Orange County Superior Court with four counts of molesting three children who lived with him from 1997 to 2000. The charges carry a possible 22 years in state prison. Farinholt, who was a vice president with Sierra Systems Group’s El Segundo branch, was released after posting $200,000 bail. He failed to appear in court May 23 and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The boat was found the next day. Police found a small amount of blood on the console. A search of the surrounding water turned up only a dive belt. After learning about the charges against Farinholt, authorities surmised at the time that Farinholt staged his own death. “We know he’s alive,” investigator Wade Walsvick said, adding that the television show “America’s Most Wanted” is expected to broadcast a segment on Farinholt. A message left for Farinholt’s attorney was not returned. |
