A man once called ‘the monster parents fear most’ is cleared for parole, and local officials are outraged

A convicted man once described as “the monster parents fear most” has been cleared for release through California’s elderly parole program, drawing sharp criticism from local law enforcement and prosecutors. As reported by Fox News, David Allen Funston, 64, was convicted in the 1990s of crimes involving multiple children younger than seven.

In 1999, a Sacramento County jury found Funston guilty of 16 felony counts. He was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison, plus three consecutive terms of 25 years to life. After serving more than two decades, he became eligible for consideration under California’s Elderly Parole Program.

The Board of Parole Hearings granted Funston parole suitability on September 26, 2025. The decision was referred to Governor Gavin Newsom for review on January 12, 2026. On February 18, 2026, the board panel reaffirmed its original decision, recommending that Funston be granted parole.

Local officials say he remains a danger

Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper strongly condemned the decision, calling Funston “a definite danger to the community” and saying he is not rehabilitated. Cooper said he personally reviewed the original case reports and victim statements and questioned how the parole board reached a different conclusion. He said he could not understand how they reached a different assessment based on the same records.

Cooper also rejected the idea that age alone reduces risk. “Fifty is not old,” he said, noting that many people in their 50s and 60s remain active and working. He added that violent crimes and crimes of a such nature should disqualify someone from elderly parole. Public attention has also focused on dismantled Flock surveillance cameras.

Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho echoed those concerns. He described Funston as “the worst of the worst” and said, “He will reoffend and is a ticking time bomb.” Ho called the elderly parole law “broken” and said prosecutors objected at the last hearing, pledging to take steps to try to prevent Funston’s release.

Victims have also voiced fear over the decision. One survivor who was abducted at age four called him “a monster” and said he “shouldn’t be breathing the same air that we’re breathing.” Prosecutors previously said he approached children playing outside, lured them with candy and toys, abducted them, and carried out the attacks. Trial testimony included allegations that he threatened a young girl with a knife to keep her silent.

Former Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, who helped prosecute the case, said it was the worst case of its kind she handled. She has formally requested that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation evaluate Funston under the state’s Sexually Violent Predator law, which could result in civil commitment to a state hospital if he is deemed likely to reoffend.

A spokesperson for Newsom’s office said the governor referred the case back to the Board of Parole Hearings to assess suitability and public safety risk. The administration noted that parole eligibility is determined by state law and sentencing, and that the parole board makes the final decision on whether an inmate poses an unreasonable risk to public safety.

Funston remains incarcerated at the California Institution for Men in Chino, and no release date has been announced. Policy debates have also touched on Anthropic AI safety backpedal.