Somer Thompson Case Has Parents Asking, 'Where Are Sex Offenders in My City?'

Among the most alarming developments after 7 year old Somer Thompson's body was discovered recently? The huge number of sex offenders living in the area. In fact, looking at maps of registered sex offenders in Florida showed that many lived near Thompson's home, including at least 75 within a short distance away (within 5 milres). There were also 161 convicted offenders in Orange Park.

Somer Thompson Sexually Assaulted - But Who Did it?

It is easy to jump to the conclusion that a high number of sex offenders in the area means that the murderer of Thompson had to be a child predator. But that is yet to be determined. Even so....

As Somer Thompson Body Found, Parents Wonder "Where are Sex Offenders in My City?"

As I read about the Somer Thompson tragedy, I was saddened to learn that a body which was most likely hers was found in a Georgia landfill. Somer's father, Samuel Thompson, recognized a birthmark on the body. It was a heartbreaking development. When the news came out about how many sex offenders lived in the area, parents started worrying about the risks to their children and how to stay informed while protecting their children from possible kidnap and abduction.

I couldn't help but recall another tragic case, that of a 10 year old boy named Zachary Thomas, who lived in Indiana. Zachary was murdered by a convicted child molester in 1993. His family had no idea that Zachary was at risk because of the lack of sex offender registries at the time. This led to a change in the law and Zachary's law led to a new way of reporting and monitoring sex offenders.

Somer Thompson's death, Zachary Thomas and Sex Registries in Florida and Indiana

By using the Indiana Sheriff's Sex and Violent Offenders Directory I discovered all too easily how many sex offenders lived in our supposedly safe neighborhood. I also discovered some problems with the registry, since sex offenders can move or information may be out of date. Also, sex offenders may not necessarily be child predators and it was hard to figure out which registered offenders might pose an actual risk to a child.

How to Find Registered Sex Offenders in States Other than Florida and Indiana

Sex Registries may help, along with registered sex offenders (like those living near Somer Thompason) being required to submit a record of current home addresses. To find sex offenders and sex offender registries in specific states, contact the Sheriff's Department in that state orThe National Sex Offender Registry at FamilyWatchdog.us
and stay tuned to breaking developments in the Somer Thompson case.

Sources

INDIANA SHERIFFS' SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY (about Zachary's law here )
Indiana Sheriff's Sex and Violent Offenders Registry here
Somer Thompson's Father: Birthmark in Body Found in Landfill Matches Daughter's
BostonHerald.com