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Thursday, October 18, 2007

Ind. Law - Different takes on convicted sex offenders

From a story posted on the WRBI Batesville site headed "Family Puts Up Sign About Sex Offender Moving In Nearby":

In a Versailles neighborhood that seemed perfect to raise children, there is only one sign, literally, that all might not be as idealistic as originally thought. Chad and Faith Ratliff erected a 6'x8' sign on their property south of Rexville (1050S off US 421) alerting the neighborhood that a convicted sex offender is moving in. Public records reveal that 61 year old Everett Scholl has served time for two counts of Incest and two counts of Rape on a conviction out of Madison County, Indiana. He served four years with his parole ending in April of 2008. He is required to register as a sex offender until 2013.

The Ratliffs have four daughters ranging in age from nine to 15. Chad is a truck driver and often gone from home. Faith said the girls are afraid now and won't sleep alone in their new home. When the Ratliff family was reminded that sex offenders have to live somewhere, Faith replied, quote "Not 100 feet from my daughter's bedroom window."

From a lengthy story by Laura Halleman, headed "Homeless man finds shelter at Courthouse," in the Madison Courier:
A registered sex offender who is homeless and has been sleeping and living on the Jefferson County Courthouse steps since July 12 is breaking no laws, according to his probation officer and city and county law enforcement officials.

John Gribbons, 61, was convicted in November 1999 for molesting a child under the age of 14, a felony. He was sentenced by Jefferson County Circuit Judge Ted Todd to 20 years in prison, with five years suspended and supervised probation for the remainder of his sentence. He was released in July 2007 after serving eight years of his sentence.

Gribbons washes and shaves in the Courthouse men's room and said when it gets colder there is a heater in there to keep him warm. During the day he can usually be found sitting on a bench outside the Courthouse with a few bags of his belongings.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on October 18, 2007 09:50 AM
Posted to Indiana Law