TresSugar

Mommy Dearest: Saw Friend's Neighbor on Megan's Law Site

LilSugar — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:36:37 PDT

Mommy Dearest,

I have four kids and am a worrier so I check the Megan's Law website to see if any registered sex offenders are in our area once a month. Yesterday, I ran a friend's zip code and almost fell out of my chair when I saw her neighbor in the database! I can't decide what to do. Should I tell her even though she just spent a million dollars on the home, isn't in a position to move, and will probably be freaked out? Or do I keep quiet and see if she eventually finds out for herself? She's the type of person that likes to plan block parties and really get to know people so I worry that she with start a friendship and allow her children to get to know the man? What should I do?

- In a Pickle

To read Mommy Dearest's response,

In a Pickle,

What a tough situation - I see why you are having a hard time figuring out what to do! But all things considered, I think it's best to tell your friend. Giving her that bit of knowledge allows her the opportunity to make the most informed decision for her family. If the situation were reversed, won't you want the benefit of protecting your children?

- Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this series at the Mommy Dearest group on our new community page.

Sex Offenders Banned From Social Networking

TresSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:15:00 PDT

No one likes the idea of sex offenders lurking around online communities. Thus, Illinois has passed a law that will make it a felony for registered sex offenders to use sites like Facebook or MySpace. One state lawmaker explained:

The idea was, if the predator is supposed to be a registered sex offender, they should keep their Internet distance as well as their physical distance.

While there's no doubt that sexual predators can use the Internet as a tool to find victims, it seems like this law could raise civil rights concerns. Do you think it should be a felony for already-convicted sex offenders to use social networking sites in an otherwise lawful manner?

Actually, whether or not there are laws making it criminal for them to log on might not make any difference. Last year, 49 state attorney generals got Facebook to agree to identify and remove profiles of all registered sex offenders.

Huh?! Man Rapes 4-Year-Old Girl, Gets One Year in Jail

TresSugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:00:00 PDT

I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around this story. David Earls, who admitted to raping a 4-year-old girl, will be released from jail after only a year. The 64-year-old man got 19 years of his 20-year sentence suspended.

The judge, who has come under fire, says that he simply followed the law by approving the plea agreed to by the district attorney, defendant, and family.

Prosecutors reasoned that it would be better to offer a plea deal and guarantee that Earls register as a sex offender than to risk losing the tough case. Because the victim was so young, they reasoned, she would have a hard time being a credible witness and articulating what happened to her. It's a cruel irony that this girl's age is making it harder to put this man away for a long time when it should make it easier.

Mommy Alert: Beware of Allowing Your Tots to Stray in Stores

LilSugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:00:03 PST

This latest clip is just too close for comfort. Similar to the story we told you about in May, another lil girl was molested in plain site at a big name bookstore. The first incident happened in the children's section of an Arcadia Borders and the most recent occurred at a Corte Madera Barnes & Noble, also in California.

This time, a five-year-old stepped just feet away from her mother who was at the counter paying for goods. But, the short distance and those split seconds provided a predator, who was silent during the attack, enough time to take the child's hand and put it inside his pants. Another incident happened at the same store this past Summer. While holiday shopping, you may be tempted to let your tots peruse the next toy aisle or stray a bit while you're in the checkout line, but in light of these reports, you should think twice about doing so.

Briefing Book! Mark Foley Breaks Silence on Sex Scandal

LibertySugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:00:47 PST

Sex: Why did he send those explicit IMs to underage pages? Ex Congressman Mark Foley breaks silence on sex scandal. - Huffington Post
White House: Why Rahm? Because Obama doesn't want his transition to be like Bill Clinton's disastrous one. - Donklephant
Alaska: Just like she left it? Alaska welcomes back prodigal governor, in comic book form. - 23/6
Gay Marriage: What would Jesus do? Gay marriage supporter points out Jesus had two daddies. - SFist
Bailout: Change of course? Secretary Paulson says bailout program won't purchase troubled assets as planned. - Talking Points Memo

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Steering Clear of Sexual Predators on Halloween

babysugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 08:00:25 PDT

Halloween is supposed to be a spooky fun holiday for kids to indulge in freaky activities and gather sugary goodies. The fright night gives parents enough issues to fret about - fire hazards, getting lost, candy and street safety to name a few. I'm also concerned about predators. It's the perfect time for offenders to steal a glance at unsuspecting children.

Some states require registered sex offenders turn off their porch lights and place a sign in the window saying, "No candy or treats at this residence." To trick-or-treat on the safe side, I looked up the homes of registered sex offenders on Family Watchdog. Just type in the zip code where you plan on trick-or-treating and see which houses your family should avoid.

Sex Offenders Get Scarlet Pumpkin for Halloween

LibertySugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:53 PDT

As part of their parole, Maryland sex offenders must display a pumpkin sign that states "No candy at this residence." Along with posting the warning sign, the violent and child-sex offenders must also stay in their homes on Halloween, keep the lights off, and not answer the door. The state has distributed warnings to families, telling them to stay away from homes with the pumpkins.

The ACLU is currently challenging an identical Missouri law, claiming the provisions are too vague to enforce and add punishment to sentences already served. While parents and the community must protect children, do you think rehabilitated sex-offenders have a right to some privacy? Does fear go too far in trampling the rights of these ex-cons, or did they give up those rights?

Mommy Alert! Beware of Your Child's Classmates

LilSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:00:29 PDT

You can never be too careful of who your child is befriending - even while at school. A sex offender passed as a seventh grade boy and enrolled in Arizona schools. Neil Havens Rodreick II, 30, successfully pulled off the ruse for two years with the help of men posing as his cousin, uncle, and grandfather. According to CNN:

Rodreick attended charter schools in Surprise, Payson, and Prescott Valley starting in 2005, authorities said. They say he shaved and wore pancake makeup to help him appear younger, convincing teachers, students, and administrators that he was a young boy named Casey.

Though no victims of sexual abuse have come forward, Rodreick once grabbed a classmate's rear. A search of his residence turned up more evidence. It said:

When authorities searched the four men's home in Chino Valley, a community northwest of Phoenix, they found more than 600 graphic photos and videos of child pornography and a sex tape that depicts Rodreick and a boy between the ages of 10 and 13 having sex in a motel room.

What are your thoughts on this story - is the school system to blame for not checking paperwork more carefully?

Stricter Sex Offender Laws: Does a Resident Registry Work?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:00:04 PDT

California's strict sex offender law - called Jessica's Law - passed by 70 percent of voters in 2006 may not be the fix they'd hoped for. The provisions hoped to lock away more child molesters are not only not helping, but could be causing more harm.

One of the hallmarks of the law, banning sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school or park, in some cases means entire cities are off-limits for offenders. Though intending to keep kids safe, because the number of offenders who consider themselves "transient" has risen 44 percent, the amount of offenses actually increases.

To see why this is, and how to find a map of your own neighborhood,

The California Sex Offender Management Board says, "Current research concludes that suitable and stable housing for sex offenders is critical to reducing recidivism and increasing community safety." One author explains it this way: "We're locking up a small number, then releasing the rest and saying, 'Good luck, and you can't live anywhere.' "

The other sticking point, the mandate GPS system for offenders (Ireland is considering a similar plan before people even offend) hit a snag when they realized no one had passed money to buy the units.

They're hoping to fix that money issue this fall. In the meantime, you can map out your own area - does knowing make you feel more or less safe? Do strict residency measures help or hurt the cause?

Can I See Some ID? Sex Offenders Get Tag on Their Licenses

CitizenSugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 12:15:17 PDT

Maybe more so than other crimes, a convicted sex offender's punishment does not end with jail time served; it follows him onto the National Sex Offender Registry, onto the Internet, and soon, in Tennessee, onto his driver's license.

Starting Sept. 1, all convicted sex offenders in Tennessee must hold a newly designed license. It will bear a mark to notify police of their sex-offender status.

While I don't envision kids at the playground asking candy pushers for ID anytime soon, it wouldn't matter if they did: ID checkers will not (or should not) be able to distinguish the license from any other Tennessean's, because the mark will only be viewable to the trained eye - like a big scarlet letter written in invisible ink.

Proponents say the new law will help ensure the safety of children. If a sexual offender is pulled over, the license will prompt police to watch for signs otherwise ignored in a routine traffic stop. To see the incident behind the law,

Last December, a sex offender was pulled over for a traffic violation while, unbeknownst to the officer, he carried in his car four or five boys that he lured away from a sleepover. Considering this was the impetus for the law, it does not seem unwarranted. But new labels for old crimes are hardly confined to Tennessee.

Last week, Congress unanimously passed the KIDS Act, which will require sex offenders to register email addresses and IM screen names with a government-controlled database. Well sure! That sounds like an easily monitored plan!

Does it make a difference that only cops can see the mark? Should there be a limit to how many extra punishments we tack onto a criminal after jail time is served? Will this make would-be reoffenders think twice - or just drive the speed limit?

And what about civil liberties? Is there a limit to the number that can be taken away once a societal debt has been settled? Are some crimes heinous enough to make one bear the label forever?

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