Judge Delays Sentencing of Confessed Molester

For the third time, a judge delayed sentencing a man who has confessed to molesting three children on 33 occasions while he was acting as a “big brother” to the victims.

Michael Blanchard, 35, used his role with Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles to gain access to the boys, all under the age of 16 and from the San Fernando Valley, over the last six years.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Victor Person ordered the delay at the request of Blanchard’s lawyer, a decision that infuriated the mother of one victim, who said she has missed three days of work because of repeated sentencing delays.

Blanchard preyed on boys from single-parent homes. He tied his victims to a bed while he was caring for them, blindfolded them, and sexually molested them.

Burbank Police Det. Craig Ratliff said authorities found videotapes Blanchard made of the acts at his Burbank home.

A spokeswoman for Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles said the organization was shocked and saddened by the case.

“We have a very rigorous screening process that includes interviews with the candidate, background checks on history, personality and we check references,” said spokeswoman Nancy Rose Dufford. “There was no indication of a problem,” she said.

Person scheduled further court proceedings for Oct. 21.