BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — A 63-year-old woman convicted of torturing her two adopted children was denied release last week by the California Board of Parole Hearings (BPH), announced the Kern County District Attorney’s Office.
On March 12, 2026, the BPH found that Rhonda Thompson continues to pose a current and unreasonable risk to public safety.
The case dates back to Jan. 13, 2021, at approximately 11 p.m, when a 10-year-old girl was found walking the streets of Bakersfield by a concerned resident. The resident noticed scratches and bruising to her body when they approached her.
An investigation was launched, and the 10-year-old victim was taken to the hospital for treatment. The doctor noted that the girl had bruising all over her body in different stages of healing. Some of her injuries included scratches and bruising to her throat.
The girl reported that her adopted mother, Rhonda Thompson, “grabbed her like you are going to kill someone, but with only one hand.” She reported being hit by objects such as a cane, a belt, and a broom. As she was seen by medical staff, she had a fractured finger from being hit by a metal belt buckle and old fractures to her back.
It was later determined that Thompson had also adopted an 8-year-old girl and was caring for a 6-month-old relative. Thompson’s 8-year-old adoptive daughter also showed signs of physical abuse: Bruising on her arm, a scratch on the right side of her neck, bruising to her leg, and several bruises on her back, said the DA. The doctor said the 8-year-old had a new and an old fracture on two fingers.
Both girls reported systematic abuse for a period of a year, said officials.
On September 13, 2021, Thompson pleaded guilty to one count of torture. A Kern County Judge sentenced Thompson to seven years to life in prison in Nov. 2021.
Rhonda Thompson. Photo: Kern County District Attorney’s Office.
Thompson has served about five years in prison and is now 63 years old.
On March 12, 2026, the BPH held Thompson’s second parole hearing, in which her commissioners focused on her insight into her systematic abuse of her two adopted children.
The BPH found that Thompson was not suitable for parole because she continued to pose a current unreasonable risk of danger to society. The BPH may deny an inmate parole for 15, 10, 7, 5, or 3 years. Thompson’s commissioners issued a three-year denial. Thompson’s next hearing could be 18 months from now.
“Thompson made the deliberate choice to adopt these girls only to exploit that position of trust and power to inflict physical and emotional abuse. Justice in this case is not yet complete. This office will continue to attend parole hearings to advocate for the victims and to ensure full accountability,” stated Kern County Assistant District Attorney Joseph Kinzel.
If you suspect a child is being abused, call (661) 631-6011, 24 hours a day, or visitkcdhs.org.