Serial Child Molester Granted Parole, Victims Outraged

David Allen Funston, once described as 'the monster parents fear the most,' set to be released despite victims' pleas

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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A Sacramento man convicted of 16 counts of kidnapping and child molestation in 1999 has been granted elderly parole, much to the horror and anger of his victims. David Allen Funston, 64, used candy and toys to lure young children into his vehicle in the 1990s, where he would sexually assault them. Despite being sentenced to 20 years and 8 months in prison, plus three consecutive sentences of 25 years to life, Funston is now set to be released under California's elderly parole program.

Why it matters

The decision to grant parole to Funston, who was described by a judge as 'the monster parents fear the most,' has sparked outrage among his victims and the prosecutor who oversaw his case. It raises questions about the criteria used in the elderly parole program and whether it is appropriate for offenders who have committed such heinous crimes against children.

The details

Funston approached children playing outside their homes in the Sacramento suburbs and used candy and toys to lure them into his vehicle in 1995 and 1996. He would then kidnap and sexually assault the children, some as young as 4 years old. In one incident, he beat a 5-year-old girl, shoved her underwear down her throat, and raped her. In another, he orally copulated a 5-year-old boy. Funston was initially denied elderly parole in 2022, but was later granted parole in September 2026 and the decision was recently upheld.

  • Funston was convicted of 16 counts of kidnapping and child molestation in 1999.
  • Funston was initially denied elderly parole in a May 2022 hearing.
  • Funston was granted parole at a board hearing in September 2026.
  • The decision to grant Funston parole was recently upheld in a review on February 22, 2026.

The players

David Allen Funston

A 64-year-old Sacramento man convicted of 16 counts of kidnapping and child molestation in 1999, who has now been granted elderly parole despite the outrage of his victims.

Anne Marie Schubert

The former Sacramento County District Attorney who prosecuted the case against Funston and is now asking for him to be referred for screening as a sexually violent predator.

Victim

A victim who was kidnapped and assaulted by Funston when she was just 4 years old, and who is now outraged by the decision to grant him parole.

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What they’re saying

“He shouldn't be breathing the same air that we're breathing at all. I disagree with him getting paroled out because he's a horrible person. That man is a monster.”

— Victim (The Times)

“A lot of people get out of prison and I don't scream about it, but this is one I'm screaming about.”

— Anne Marie Schubert, Former Sacramento County District Attorney (The Times)

“What if he gets out and and tries to find his old victims and wants to kill us?”

— Victim (The Times)

What’s next

Schubert has sent a letter to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation asking that Funston be referred for screening as a sexually violent predator, which could prevent him from being released into the public.

The takeaway

The decision to grant parole to a serial child molester like David Allen Funston, who was described as 'the monster parents fear the most,' raises serious concerns about the criteria used in the elderly parole program and whether it is appropriate for offenders who have committed such heinous crimes against children.