Hollywood, CA—Harry Burkhart, 24 lived with his 53 year-old mother, Dorothee Burkhart on Sunset Blvd. Apparently they ran a sex entertainment business website called HollywoodTantraMassage.com. They advertised sex services just short of prostitution. Dorothee Burkhart is seen here in a photo from that website.Dorothy was arrested by the feds on a German theft warrant related to non-payment for a boob job and some fraud related to apartment rentals. On it’s face it looks to be an issue of a fugitive from German justice who was visiting here on a 90-day tourist permit.
When Harry’s mother was taken away by authorities on December 28, he was suspected of engaging in a 53 fire arson spree.
Apparently Harry’s story is far more complicated since a physician had previously diagnosed him as autistic along with suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and other issues. Harry Burkhart was obviously in a major state of panic without his only support. Acting out through the dangerous arson spree was obviously a desperate cry for help.
Considering Harry’s being stranded in a foreign country his world was coming to an end. We can’t hold Harry responsible for his mother’s conduct and apparently his own conduct may well be beyond his control too.
My thoughts are to return both mother and son to Germany under the circumstances. I know Germany will obtain the proper treatment for Harry as his mother faces the music for the allegations against her.
Harry’s arson spree was horrible costing some $3 million dollars. Thankfully nobody died. Isolating Harry Burkhart in an American prison under these circumstances would do far more harm than good.
Harry will face a judge in Van Nuys Wednesday morning and his mother has another date with a federal magistrate on Friday. They both need lawyers. Neither has a particularly good command of the English language.
