A man is in custody after luring a five -year-old child away from their family at a campsite.On June 1, 2021, Kern County Sheriff’s Office deputies from the Kern Valley Substation were dispatched to the Keysville South Campground area regarding a missing five-year-old juvenile. Prior to deputies arriving, the juvenile was located by family members. During the investigation, deputies learned the juvenile was lured away from her campsite by David Barrera (age 62) of Tulare, CA. Barrera was not known to the victim or the victim’s family. Barrera took the juvenile to a secluded location and concealed her while the juvenile’s family searched for her. The juvenile was eventually located by family members in the company of Barrera.

Barrera is a convicted sex offender, and he had an active felony warrant for failing to register as a sex offender. Barrera was arrested and booked for; Kidnapping a child under 14 years old for the purpose of committing lewd or lascivious acts, contact with a minor with the intent to commit a sexual offense, and annoying a child with priors.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at 661-861-3110 or Secret Witness at 661-322-4040.