Ask Amy: Sex offender lives in the neighborhood
Dear Amy: I have a neighbor who was previously convicted of a sexual offense involving a “child.” He served time in jail.
I don’t know the exact circumstances, but I do understand that the term “child” may include a person as young as an infant and as old as a teenager.
The sexual offender is married with two young children.
I know that he and his wife want to keep his history private.
However, the other neighbors around where I live are not aware of the situation and their kids play and interact with the sexual offender’s family.
Do I need to inform the unknowing neighbors about his status as a sex offender, or should I remain silent?
I’d appreciate your advice.
– Uncertain
Dear Uncertain: You don’t say how you know about this offense, but you should take it as a given that these neighbors don’t want others to know that he is a convicted sexual offender. But this is not up to them.
Convicted sex offenders are assigned a status: level one, two, or three. Level one is considered “low risk of re-offense” and level three “high risk of re-offense.” Each state maintains a sex offender registry.
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