The California Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) denied release to convicted child torturer Rhonda Thompson.
Representing the District Attorney’s Office and requesting the denial was Deputy DA Gina Nargie.
On January 13, 2021, at approximately 11pm, a 10-year-old girl was found walking the streets of Bakersfield by a concerned citizen. When the concerned citizen talked to the girl, she noted scratches and bruising to her body. An investigation was started and the 10-year-old victim was taken to the hospital for treatment. At the hospital, the doctor noted bruising all over her body in different stages of healing. Some of her injuries included scratches and bruising to her throat. The victim reported that her adoptive mother, Rhonda Thompson, “grabbed her like you are going to kill someone, but with only one hand.” She reported being hit with objects such as a cane, belt, and broom. At the time she was seen by medical staff, she had a fractured finger from being hit by a metal belt buckle and old fractures to her back.
The investigation revealed that Thompson had also adopted an 8-year-old girl and was caring for a 6-month-old relative. Thompson’s 8-year-old adoptive daughter had bruising on her arm, a scratch on the right side of her neck, bruising to her leg, and several bruises on her back. After receiving medical care, the doctor noted that the 8-year-old victim had a new and old fracture on two fingers. Both girls reported systematic abuse for a period of a year.
On September 13, 2021, Thompson pled guilty to one count of Torture. She was sentenced to 7 years to life in prison.
Last week, the BPH conducted Thompson’s second parole hearing. Thompson’s commissioners focused on her insight into her systematic abuse of her two adopted children. Ultimately, Thompson’s commissioners issued a three-year denial.
Assistant DA Joseph Kinzel commented; “Thompson made the deliberate choice to adopt these girls only to exploit that position of trust and power to inflict physical and emotional abuse. Justice in this case is not yet complete. This office will continue to attend parole hearings to advocate for the victims and to ensure full accountability.”