Molestation Suspect’s Bail Cut to $500,000

A judge reduced bail to $500,000 Friday for a former sheriff’s sergeant accused of child molestation, paving the way for his likely return home to Palmdale before the start of the trial.

Kevin Carney, 48, is charged with molesting and sexually abusing four girls in the Antelope Valley. Some of the alleged incidents date back to 1990 when Carney supervised a child abuse unit of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Carney, a 23-year Sheriff’s Department veteran, has been held in an isolation cell at Men’s Central Jail since January. His bail was first set at $2 million, but it was lowered to $1 million in March. He pleaded not guilty.

Family members and supporters appeared relieved by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Connor’s decision.

“I’m glad it was reduced,” said Carney’s daughter, Carleen Littig, 22, “but it should be reduced more.”

Carney’s wife, Kathleen, said she was hopeful her husband might get out of jail soon, but that his defense fund was quickly being spent.

Carney--who while in jail, resigned after just two months on the Palmdale City Council--appeared in court Friday in a brown jail uniform. He nodded briefly to his family but did not testify.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert Dver had argued that the seriousness of the case dictated higher bail.