SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KERO) — For the first time, the family of former Kern County Supervisor Zack Scrivner is publicly speaking out against him.
Christina and Robert Scrivner, the estranged wife and son of the former supervisor, both spoke Tuesday morning at a press conference held by State Senator Shannon Grove to announce Senate Bill 1373, a bill designed to limit certain crimes from being eligible for mental health diversion.
“Our case was a clear example of a flawed system,” Robert Scrivner said.
The public remarks come nearly two years after the April 25, 2024, incident at the Scrivner family’s Tehachapi home that led to the former supervisor’s arrest and criminal charges.
At the time, Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said Scrivner had taken mind-altering substances before getting into bed with a child and touching them inappropriately. The sheriff also described a physical altercation between Scrivner and his children that resulted in Scrivner being stabbed.
Among the allegations were claims of child molestation. However, Scrivner was ultimately charged with felony child abuse and illegal possession of assault weapons. Because he was not charged with a sex offense, his attorney petitioned for mental health diversion. A judge granted that request in December.
“My own father, who is an elected official in Kern County, assaulted my siblings and myself and was granted mental health diversion,” Robert Scrivner said.
Christina Scrivner said her children cooperated with investigators despite the trauma.
“Faced with inexplicable trauma, my courageous children bravely and honorably shared the truth of their abuse,” she said.
Under California law, mental health diversion allows eligible defendants with diagnosed mental health disorders to receive treatment instead of incarceration. If successfully completed, charges can be dismissed and records sealed.
Grove criticized the current structure of the program.
“However well-intended the program was, it did not come with enough guardrails and has become a ‘get-out-of-jail-free card’ for violent offenders across our state,” Grove said.
Her bill would bar diversion for certain violent crimes, including attempted murder, assault resulting in death and domestic violence involving great bodily injury. It would also expand judicial discretion and give prosecutors additional authority to challenge mental health diagnoses.
“It restores judicial discretion and gives prosecutors more tools to verify mental-health diagnoses,” Grove said.
Grove is the second Kern County lawmaker to introduce legislation in response to the Scrivner case. Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains recently unveiled the “Lords of Bakersfield” legislative package, which also seeks to expand prohibitions on mental health diversion for specific felony offenses.
Grove said she supports broader efforts to reform the law, even if the approaches differ.
“Sometimes it’s beneficial for bills to start in separate houses. We support other bills and want to get something to the governor’s desk,” she said.
Scrivner’s family and victims’ advocates said they support the proposed reforms.
Robert Scrivner said he hopes changes to the law will ensure “that with these reforms, they will not be left without hope of justice.”
Meanwhile, the California Department of Justice has filed a writ of mandate seeking to overturn the court’s decision granting Scrivner mental health diversion. The appeal is pending before the 5th District Court of Appeal.
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