Therapist Charged With Molesting Girl

A licensed marriage and family therapist and his wife have been charged with numerous felony counts after they allegedly engaged in sex with a teenage girl starting five years ago.

Officers from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department’s sex crimes unit arrested Allen Eldredge, 55, and his wife, Judy, 44, at their Chatsworth home Nov. 25.

Allen Eldredge remained in custody Monday at the Ventura County Jail, with bail set at $2 million. He is scheduled to be arraigned Dec. 20. Judy Eldredge was being held at Los Angeles County Jail in lieu of $2 million bail.

Lawyers for the couple could not be reached for comment.

The alleged victim is a Ventura County girl, who along with her family was being counseled by Allen Eldredge. Police say the girl was 14 when the alleged abuse began.

Authorities say the man used his position as a therapist to coerce the girl into sexual acts with him and his wife.

The investigation was launched by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and later included the Los Angeles Police Department.

LAPD Det. Terry Kibodeaux alleged that the Eldredges had sexual relations with the girl while she was in their home.

According to court records, the alleged abuse began in 1995 and went on until at least 1997.

Kibodeaux said 35 counts of sexual misconduct have been filed against each suspect, with more expected. In Ventura County, where only Allen Eldredge is being charged, 13 counts of sexual assault have been filed against him.

Eldredge worked in both Los Angeles and Ventura counties and kept an office at 739 E. Walnut St. in Pasadena.

No prior complaints had been filed against him, said Kim Hunter, spokeswoman for the state Department of Consumer Affairs, which oversees the licensing of therapists.