Shawn Barth Police arrested a 46yearold man this week on charges that he kept a young teenage girl captive in a motor home parked in a remote orchard in the 4000 block of Hitch Boulevard west of Moorpark.

Shawn Barth, 46, held the 13-year-old girl captive for at least several months, authorities said. He was caught this week because Moorpark school officials became wary of inconsistencies that developed while they attempted to obtain the victim's school records.

According to authorities, Barth came to Moorpark in May purposely parked his RV more than a mile from the nearest road so the victim would not escape. The landowner allowed Barth to stay on his property for a fee, but wasn't aware of any wrongdoing, Detective Eric Buschow of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department said.

Investigators believe the crime started when Barth was living in San Bernardino County, which is where he first had contact with the girl. How the child ended up living with the alleged abuser remains unclear.

SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers INVESTIGATION—Detective Eric Buschow of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department talks with reporters following a news conference about the arrest of a local man who allegedly kept a 13-year-old girl captive in the motor home pictured above. The vehicle was parked in an orchard west of Moorpark. Buschow said Barth knew the girl's mother, but their exact relationship isn't clear. The victim's mother and another adult female witness are both cooperating with authorities, he said.

An investigation that began on Sept. 11 led authorities to the "tragic" circumstances of the case, which quickly unfolded as detectives followed Barth's trail from San Bernardino County to the Home Acres orchard near Moorpark, Buschow said.

The girl reportedly was allowed to go to school, but didn't tell anyone about the ordeal. She didn't run away because the alleged perpetrator used intimidation and fear to keep her quiet. She was under the psychological and physical control of her captor, Buschow said.

Authorities were alerted by local school officials who suspected something might be wrong with the child's living situation. As middle school employees tried to obtain records from the girl's previous school in Yucaipa, they were told that there was a possible restraining order against Barth for a previous allegation of child molestation involving the same victim.

"The school's front office staff had great instincts and they felt uncomfortable with this, and counselors were diligent, so thanks to their tenacity and gut instincts we were able to work with the system and hopefully save a child," said Anna Merriman, assistant superintendent of instructional services for Moorpark Unified School District.

"Our job is to protect a child who has been victimized by an adult and we're going to do everything we can to protect her and support her," she said.

Once the victim felt safe in the care of child protective services, she started to talk to detectives about her ordeal.

"The important thing is that this child who was treated horribly and exploited in the worst way is now safe," said Capt. Ron Nelson, who heads the Moorpark Police Department.

"This wasn't a situation where she was bound or gagged. This is a very insidious psychological type of thing where this person established control and power over somebody," said Nelson, who encouraged parents to stay involved in all aspects of their children's lives because individuals like Barth take time to groom their victims.

"Sexual predators know exactly what buttons to push to establish control," Nelson said.

Authorities are now seeking information to find out if other victims exist. "As with many sexual assault cases, investigators are concerned that there may be other victims or witnesses with information about Barth," Buschow said.

Court records indicate that Barth, who previously lived in Oak Park, was convicted of several motor vehicle violations between 2000 and 2007 and was on probation for a felony drug offense.

The suspect did not have a steady job and earned a living selling odds and ends at flea markets. In addition to owning the 40-foot motor home, Barth also drove a white pickup truck loaded with tables, chairs, boogie boards, gas cans and other miscellaneous goods. Both vehicles were seized by authorities

The district attorney filed four charges against Barth this week, including aggravated sexual assault of a child, oral copulation and continuous sexual abuse.

The culprit is held at the Ventura County jail with a $1 million bond. His arraignment is set for Oct. 2 at 1:30 p.m.

Persons with information about Barth should call the East County Sexual Assault Unit at (805) 494-8201.