SAN MARCOS — A child interview specialist testified Oct. 10 on behalf of the prosecution about the disclosure patterns of molested children.

Catherine McLennan, supervisor of the Child Abuse Program at Palomar Pomerado Health, testified about children’s difficulties in sequencing events and the importance of parental support in a child’s decision to speak up about being molested.

McLennan’s testimony came about a week after the victim, a 9-year-old girl, testified Oct. 4 about the alleged molestation she endured at the hands of her stepfather, Marc Jay Cash.

During the young girl’s testimony, she had difficulty explaining the chronology of the alleged molestation, and also admitted that she had waited to tell her father about the abuse after her mother — who she told almost immediately — didn’t believe her.

McLennan said 75 percent of molested children delay their disclosure of the molestation usually out of fear that they did something wrong or because they don’t want to get the molester in trouble.

If the abusive acts were similar and ongoing, it’s almost impossible for a child to remember the sequence of events, McLennan said. “It’s hard for children to separate, (it’s) like a big lump in their minds.”

She also said if one of the child’s parents, especially their mother, is hesitant or worried about the ramifications of speaking up about the molestation, then it’s more likely that the child will delay coming forward about the abuse to others.

Cash, 50, is charged with five counts of a lewd act with a child under the age of 14, and one count each of using harmful material to seduce a minor, possession of a dangerous weapon and resisting arrest.

Defense attorney Herb Weston argued in his opening statement Oct. 4 that Cash is actually caught in between an ongoing custody battle between the victim’s parents. He said the victim’s father, who was worried that he might lose custody of his two children, concocted the allegations against his client.

If convicted, Cash would have to register as a sex offender for life, and could be sentenced to prison.