We Need To Do A Better Job Of Protecting Our Children

Fox News in Boston reported that 119 registered sex offenders in Massachusetts have the same addresses as child care providers.

The article reports:

State Auditor Suzanne Bump is asking a state agency to regularly cross-reference the addresses of registered sex offenders and child care providers following disturbing new information revealed in an audit.

The recommendation was made to the Department of Early Education and Care on Wednesday after an audit revealed 119 instances where the address listed for a Level 2 or Level 3 sex offender was the same as an EEC-licensed child care provider.

Bump’s office also says that in four of the 119 cases, the EEC revoked the provider’s license because its operators had prior knowledge of the registered sex offender status, but did not report it to the department.

The current law requires Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) checks, but not Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) checks on child-care providers or people living at the same address as at home child-care facilities.

Daycare is a necessity for most families today. We need to make sure that the children of families who use daycare facilities can be sure that their children are safe. Better background checks and checks against the SORI would be a good step in that direction.