Neighbors Dispute Abuse Probe Searches

Neighbors living near four Manhattan Beach homes that were searched for possible evidence of child sexual abuse called the searches “ridiculous” Saturday and said the whole city has fallen under suspicion as a result of the Virginia McMartin Pre-School case.

“If you live in Manhattan Beach, suddenly you’re a pervert,” said Christine Cummings, a neighbor of Mary Lou Breisler, a licensed baby sitter, whose home was searched Friday. “It’s a witch hunt.”

Manhattan Beach police released a statement saying that Breisler’s home and the residences of three of her relatives were searched as part of an ongoing investigation into child sexual abuse. No arrests were made.

Basis of Inquiry

Although investigators would not elaborate, The Times learned that Breisler fell under suspicion because parents were referred to her baby-sitting service by teachers at the now-closed McMartin school.

Seven former officials of the school have been charged with 208 counts of child molestation and conspiracy. The case is in the preliminary-hearing stage.

Police reportedly dug up animal bones in Breisler’s backyard on 3rd Street and the Gates Avenue backyard of her sister, Fran Gammer, who also provided baby-sitting services.

But neighbors downplayed the significance of the finds.

“I’ve lived here 25 years,” said Cummings, who stood watch over the Breisler home Saturday to prevent reporters and gawkers from disturbing the family. “When cats died, we buried them in the backyard. If you dig up my yard, you’ll find several cats and a turtle.”

Not ‘Street-Wise’

Cummings said Breisler moved to Manhattan Beach from Connecticut eight years ago and started baby-sitting to supplement her family’s income. Breisler lives with her husband, Joseph, and 14-year-old daughter, Penny, Cummings said.

“These people are not street-wise like people from California are,” Cummings said. “They’re naive people from Connecticut. She’s been going through hell.”

Another neighbor, Linda Hames, said: “All the people on the block are in agreement. There’s not one who believes it.”

Hames said Breisler’s daughter had been taken away by police and placed in protective custody. By late Saturday, the daughter had not been returned, Hames said.

Also taken from her parents was 3-week-old Jessica Marie Robinson after police searched the Manhattan Beach Boulevard home of David Major Robinson, Breisler’s son-in-law.

A Mistake Acknowledged

“They took her away for about an hour, then brought her back to us, stating, ‘Sorry, that was a mistake,’ ” Robinson said.

The fourth residence searched was that of Robinson’s sister-in-law, Gretchen Campbell, and her husband, Malcolm, who live next door to Robinson.

Malcolm Campbell said Saturday that police took a videocassette player and several tapes--”stuff like ‘Splash.’ ”