TEXARKANA, Texas - A retired Texas district judge has been appointed to preside over the cases of a Texarkana father and son accused of sexual misconduct with a 7-year-old.
Lauren Parish, who retired in 2018 from the 115th District Court serving Upshur and Marion counties, has been appointed to the cases of David Ernest Fant, 56, and Hayden David Fant, 19. Father and son were arrested last month for the alleged continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14.
John Tidwell, who presides over the 202nd District Court serving Bowie County, recused himself from the cases after they were assigned to his court. Orders appointing Parish to both cases were signed Tuesday by the region's presiding district judge, Alfonso Charles.
Bowie County District Attorney Jerry Rochelle has filed a motion to recuse the Bowie County District Attorney's Office from the matters as well. Rochelle's motion notes a conflict of interest because of "personal and business dealings" between his family and the Fant family as cause for the motion and a desire to avoid any appearance of "impropriety."
The motion states that Rochelle has discussed the issue of conflict with Brenda Cantu of the Prosecutor's Assistance Division of the Texas Attorney General's Office.
"Ms. Cantu has agreed it would be in the interest of justice for herself or a qualified attorney in her division to serve as District Attorney Pro Tem in all matters involving the defendant," state the motions filed in both defendant's cases.
David Fant and Hayden Fant are each free on a bond of $200,000. Their bonds were set by a justice of the peace at a hearing in the Bowie County jail following their arrests. Court records do not list an attorney for either defendant.
The girl reported the abuse occurred when she visited the Fant home during summers and spring vacations beginning in March 2018 and ending in March of this year.
Continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 is punishable by 25 to 99 years or life in prison and there is no possibility of parole from any sentence imposed. No hearings are currently scheduled.