Sean Garmire/The Times-Standard
Posted: 05/21/2009 01:24:21 AM PDT

As the trial of an accused Eureka child molester continued Wednesday, two young boys took the stand, testifying 26-year-old Andrew Brian Belant allegedly touched them inappropriately while he was employed as an elementary after-school aide and part-time church youth leader.

Belant faces several charges related to the alleged molestation of four boys between the ages of 9 and 13 over a period of several months.

Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos said all four of the boys, who have agreed to testify against Belant at his trial, first underwent an interview program, which he said is unique in California.

Testifying in court can be a tremendous challenge for children who have undergone sexual abuse, Gallegos said. Often, children who choose to testify in those cases are required to answer difficult or embarrassing questions, all while facing their accused molester.

And, the investigation and preparation for trial can be just as challenging for children, who are often subjected to multiple interviews, bringing back painful memories as investigators attempt to gather statements for evidence.

A program in Humboldt County, however, seeks to reduce the number of interactions child sex victims have with law enforcement, while helping investigators ascertain the validity of the children's allegations.

Humboldt County's Child Abuse Services Team, or CAST, is a multiagency group comprised of members of law enforcement, DA officials, social workers and other specialists trained to work with child victims.

During an interview, an interview specialist questions the alleged victim in a small, child-friendly room with a large one-way window. On the other side of that window, the interview is observed by law enforcement, attorneys, and often social workers, said District Attorney Investigator William Honsal.

Because the interviews are part of ongoing investigations, parents are not allowed to observe.

Questions used during the interview are pre-formulated and designed to allow the narrative to come entirely from the children, Gallegos said.

The waiting room in the CAST office, located in downtown Eureka, is filled with stuffed animals, toys and games, and looks like a pediatric waiting room.

Honsal said children are never forced to undergo an interview or participate in the CAST system.

”It's entirely up to them,” Honsal said. “This is an option -- the families and the kids do not have to come here.”

Children as young as age 2 and up to 17 have been interviewed through the program. Child Welfare Services Program Manager Jeri Scardina said that although anyone under 18 is considered a minor, there are substantial differences in the way teens and younger children comprehend the alleged crime.

Often, particularly young victims do not understand the nature of the abuse, and may speak freely, while teens are often more guarded, Scardina said.

Young children “don't always know what's happening is wrong,” Scardina said, while “teenagers will cross their arms and say, 'What do you want to know?'”

Often, the specialized interviews are helpful in determining false allegations of sex abuse. Honsal said false allegations are most frequently made during family law disputes and custody battles, during which one parent or guardian will attempt to influence their children to believe they have undergone some inappropriate contact from the other guardian.

”Often, (parents) try to use the system to further their position in a family law case,” Gallegos said.

But, Scardina added, “just because there's a custody dispute doesn't mean the kids don't get molested.”

Children who participate in the CAST program and their families are also put in contact with counseling services and advocacy services, Gallegos said.

”Really, (CAST) is the best shot we have in the county to find out if this (alleged abuse) really happened,” Scardina said.

Sean Garmire can be reached at 441-0514 or

sgarmire@times-standard.com.


http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_12418366





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