David Rothenberg met his jailed father on Friday for the first time since the man doused him with kerosene and set him ablaze 13 years ago.
Charles Rothenberg and his son were separated by protective glass during the 35-minute visit, which was arranged after visiting hours to allow them privacy, Sgt. Jim Knudsen said.David Rothenberg and his father both requested permission for a visit from Alameda County Sheriff Charles Plummer, and the son flew to Oakland from Los Angeles with a TV reporter, Knudsen said.
Last month, David Rothenberg told the TV magazine "Extra" that he wanted to meet his father so that he could get on with his life.
"I really want to confront him," he said. "I need to close a chapter in my life. If I don't, I feel it's holding me back."
In 1983, Rothenberg was sentenced to 13 years for setting his son, then 6, on fire at a Southern California motel. Authorities said he tried to kill the boy during a bitter custody dispute with his ex-wife.
The boy was left with burns over 90 percent of his body and severe disfigurement. His fingers were amputated to the first joint.
Charles Rothenberg settled in Oakland in 1990 after serving less than seven years in the torching but was arrested again on Jan. 25 in the shooting of a 47-year-old man. Now he's awaiting trial for attempted murder.