Dreamcatchers For Abused Children
28
March , 2024
Thursday


Dreamcatchers For Abused Children Store

Losing Track of Sex Offenders

Posted by Sandra On November - 7 - 2009

As Laws Limit Where Sex Offenders Can Live, Many Congregate in Isolated Areas

  • Play CBS Video Video Tracking Sex OffendersRestrictions placed on sex offenders will be tightened next year when all states will be required to closely track sex offenders and inform the public about the most violent. Bill Whitaker reports.
    • This photo provided by the family show Somer Thompson, 7, who was abducted in Orange Park, Fla. And found in a Georgia landfill.This photo provided by the family show Somer Thompson, 7, who was abducted in Orange Park, Fla. And found in a Georgia landfill. (AP)
    • Phillip Garrido, left, is charged with the kidnap and rape of Jaycee Lee Dugard.Phillip Garrido, left, is charged with the kidnap and rape of Jaycee Lee Dugard. (AP)

    Previous slide Next slide

    • 0
    • 1

(CBS)

It’s been almost three weeks since 7-year-old Somer Thompson was abducted in Orange Park, Fla., her body found in a Georgia landfill. Authorities now are questioning sex offenders in the community. There are 159 registered offenders in a 5-mile radius of Somer’s hometown.

“That’s your biggest fear, that your child is going to be missing or they’re going to die,” said Carol Jones, a resident.

That number of sex offenders in one Florida town is not unusual. There are almost 700,000 registered sex offenders in the United States: more than 51,000 in Florida; 57,000 in Texas; more than 117,000 in California, reports CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker.

In Antioch, California where kidnap victim Jaycee Dugard was held in a backyard for 18 years, allegedly by convicted rapist Phillip Garrido, there are 92 registered sex offenders just in Garrido’s zip code.

Those numbers have prompted states and cities across the country to pass laws restricting where sex offenders can live. Jessica’s Law here in California prohibits sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a park or a school – places children congregate.

Similar restrictions in other states are forcing sex offenders to cluster in isolated areas – like this encampment under a Miami freeway. Parole officer Mauricio Lopez monitors 20 high-risk sex offenders in one Pasadena, California neighborhood. Neighbors are fearful.

“We have neighbors who do not allow their children to ride their bikes or get out of the house at all,” said one resident.

Authorities have lost track of some 100,000 sex offenders. Critics say better tracking, not isolation, is the answer.

“The most dangerous sex offenders are highly mobile, so they will travel, they’ll move from community to community, they will seek out opportunities,” said Ernie Allen with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Next year all states will be required by federal law to closely track all sex offenders and to inform the public who are the most violent.

---------------------------------------------
~ DID YOU KNOW? ~
By the time you finish reading this, 15 children will have been abused; In the next five minutes, 30 more; Within the next hour, 360 more; And by tonight, close to 8,000+ children will have suffered from abuse, 5 of which will die. Child abuse has increased 134% since 1980 and is now considered a worldwide epidemic. The high jump in child abuse deaths and the shocking increase in statistics highlights the frightening lack of public knowledge.

Educate Yourself -- Learn the Facts
It May Just Save a Child's Life!!
MAKE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION!

You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

?>

Recent Comments

DREAMCATCHERS FOR ABUSED CHILDREN, INC. is an official non-profit 501(c)3 child abuse & neglect organization. Our mission is to educate the public on all aspects of child abuse such as symptoms, intervention, prevention, statistics, reporting, and helping victims locate the proper resources necessary to achieve a full recovery. We also cover areas such as bullying, teen suicide & prevention, children\'s rights, child trafficking, missing & exploited children, online safety, and pedophiles/sex offenders.

Recent Comments

Man Sexually Assaulted Boy In Library Restroom

On Nov-17-2010
Reported by Sandra

Former Police Sergeant Arrested for Child Rape

On Oct-24-2013
Reported by Sandra

Preventing Child Abuse Fatalities

On Jan-22-2011
Reported by Sandra

Assistant Principal Charged With Grooming, Child Porn

On May-20-2015
Reported by Sandra

Recent Posts