Tustin : Kidnaping Suspect Released From Hospital

A 33-year-old man beaten unconscious by the father of a small girl he was attempting to drag from a home was released from the hospital Thursday and transferred to County Jail.

Police Lt. Bob Schoenkopf said Edward Paul Kumbartzky, a transient who also used the names Buford Wimple and Michael Johnson, was released from Western Medical Center in Santa Ana and booked in County Jail on felony charges of kidnaping, assault with a deadly weapon and residential burglary.

Kumbartzky was beaten by Kenneth Routon, 39, after the intruder broke into the Routon house on Bryan Avenue at about 1:45 a.m. Wednesday and pulled Jennifer Routon, 9, from her upstairs bedroom. The suspect held a knife to the girl’s throat and had an armlock on her as he dragged her down the hall, police said.

Routon, who was roused by his 15-year-old son, Joshua, knocked the knife from Kumbartzky’s hand and beat him to the floor. Kumbartzky remained unconscious for about 12 hours.

Robert Gore, a spokesman for the Department of Corrections, said Kumbartzky has served prison time for burglary. He said the suspect was convicted on the burglary charge in Santa Clara County in late 1981 and served 32 months in prison before being released on Sept. 8, 1984.

Rebecca Routon, the girl’s mother, said Thursday that her daughter had recovered from the incident.

“She’s doing very well, but I kept her at home today and probably will again tomorrow as well,” she said.

The mother said she was shielding her daughter from talking to the news media.

“I don’t think she’s ready for that yet,” the mother said.

The mother also said the family had received numerous telephone calls from friends and supporters commending them for apprehending the suspect.

“Everyone has been very supportive . . . very loving,” she said. “Even a couple of people we don’t know called to say they understand what we went through. We’re very thankful.”