
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, November 21, 1993                   TAG: 9311210092
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: PETALUMA, CALIF.                                LENGTH: Short

SEARCH LEADER QUITS AFTER MOLESTATION CLAIM

A man who became the driving force behind the search for a kidnapped girl quit just hours after a woman sued him for allegedly molesting her as a 9-year-old more than 20 years ago.

The Polly Klaas Foundation said Bill Rhodes' resignation Friday won't affect efforts to locate the 12-year-old girl. Actress Winona Ryder, who grew up in Petaluma, has offered a $200,000 reward in the search for Polly.

Rhodes, who headed the foundation, was named in the lawsuit filed on behalf of a woman identified only as Victoria Anne, said her lawyer, Patricia Gray. The woman is now 32.

Rhodes became the driving force behind the hunt for Klaas, who was kidnapped at knifepoint from a slumber party Oct. 1. His print shop served as headquarters for the search effort.

He couldn't be reached for comment after his resignation.

Gray said her client had blocked out memory of the alleged abuse, only recalling it last year while serving as a juror in a child sexual abuse trial. - Associated Press

by CNB