BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — There is now bipartisan from Kern County lawmakers for charges after Sheriff Donny Youngblood made some candid comments on a radio talk show about Scrivner’s mother, Kathy Scrivner, and her involvement in allegedly trying to stop Scrivner’s children from talking to investigating deputies.
Republican State Senator Shannon Grove posted on social media Tuesday calling for Kathy Scrivner to be charged with a crime. On Monday, Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood read directly from police reports saying Kathy was at the Tehachapi house when deputies arrived at the Scrivner home the night of April 23, 2024.
Scrivner granted mental health diversion
Speaking on Kern Radio with host Ralph Bailey, Youngblood said while deputies were speaking with two boys, Kathy Scrivner told the boys, “You guys do not need to say too much OK. Just keep quiet.”
“Investigator said, ‘Hey, hey, hey, listen, we’re not allowed to do that. It’s a crime to dissuade people from making reports to law enforcement.’ And Kathy says, no, but this escalated into something, a real big mess,” Sheriff Youngblood said on the radio program.
The sheriff says it was all caught on deputies’ body warn cameras.
MORE: Read more on Zack Scrivner investigation on KGET.com
Sen. Grove posted on social media calling for charges to be brought against Kathy Scrivner:
“It is long past time for appropriate charges to be filed and meaningful penalties imposed, not only against Zack Scrivner, but against Kathy Scrivner as well. The Kern County Sheriff has described body camera footage that outlines the egregious allegations against Zack Scrivner and reportedly shows Kathy Scrivner impeding the criminal investigation and encouraging her grandchildren not to cooperate with law enforcement. As a mandated reporter and an elected official entrusted with protecting the best interests of children, her actions represent a complete failure of that duty. She must step down without delay to restore public trust.
It appears the Attorney General’s office failed to file proper charges in this case, exposing serious flaws in our justice system and raising troubling questions about favoritism toward elected officials. I am working on legislation to address these failures and ensure greater accountability moving forward.”
Sen. Shannon Grove on Instagram
It is a stunning statement for a member of Kern County’s Republican establishment to make against not one, but two, members of a family that just two years ago was a GOP dynasty.
But it was a bipartisan sentiment.
Democratic Assemblywoman Jasmeet Bains also issued a statement:
“California’s criminal justice system has failed the victim at seemingly every leveI. I have no confidence that the prosecution or the courts acted in the best interest of the abused child. The entire case needs to be reviewed and everyone who broke the law needs to be held fully accountable. That is why I asked for federal intervention.”
Randy Villegas, a Democratic candidate for Congressional District 22 said: “Kathy Scrivner also deserves to be punished to the full extent of the law. Alongside community members, I also call upon Scrivner to resign from the board of trustees immediately.”
Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage
Villegas also commented on Zack Scrivner’s case.
“For far too long we have seen political elites be given special treatment under the law and victims robbed of justice. I denounce the ruling of this case. Scrivner deserves to be punished to the full extent of the law. We must call on those handling this case to ensure that these loopholes will no longer be tolerated. As a community, we will continue to fight the abuses of power by officials in office and we will hold those accountable for their actions. We deserve full transparency and accountability.”
Kathy Scrivner is a member of the Kern High School District Board of Trustees. At a meeting Monday night, 17 News asked for her for a response.
“I don’t know anything about that,” she said.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News.