American Notes CALIFORNIA

"I want it known nationally that I don't ever want to see my father again," David Rothenberg, 13, declared last week in Buena Park, Calif. He is still horribly scarred from the burns he suffered in 1983 when Charles Rothenberg, in a custody fight with his ex-wife, poured kerosene over the boy and set him afire. The elder Rothenberg, 49, was released last week from a California penitentiary, having qualified for parole after serving just half of a 13-year sentence for arson and attempted murder. To keep him away from David, the state will spend an estimated $648,000 for three years of round-the-clock surveillance.

While working as a typist at an undisclosed location, Rothenberg will be watched by corrections officers and will wear an electronic monitor on his wrist. California spends $2,970 a year to supervise an average parolee.