The case of a man who molested a 7-year-old neighbor over several years is raising eyebrows in the legal community because of a bizarre step the victim's family is taking to try to put the horror behind them. They want Larry Beck to buy their home so they can leave the neighborhood. Who can blame them? They tried to sell but no one wants to live next to a convicted child predator, surprise surprise. Beck served just a year in prison and now he's back home. But while everyone is so focused on the Constitutional and legal aspects of forcing someone to buy a property against their will, what's hard to get passed is why the family is even moving in the first place?
It's not THEY that should be leaving the neighborhood, it's HIM.
The gall of this man to even step foot back in the community that he exploited and betrayed. But there's a child molester for you. I am so skeptical of the ability to rehabilitate the sick minds of these people that I fear he probably doesn't even think he did anything wrong. Larry Beck is 65 years old, and I'm sorry but that ship has sailed a long time ago.
If I were one of the neighbors in this Pennsylvania town I would be outraged that such a man continues to live there. I would not feel safe with him lurking around, and I would do everything possible to make it clear to him and his family (he lives with his wife and mother) that he is no longer welcome. There are legal ways to do this. Let him be the one who has to uproot his life and leave. The risk of a repeat offense is just too great, and even if he learned to control his impulses, the aura of his crime would still linger. Who would feel comfortable having one of their kids even ride a bike in his perview? He has to go!
The owners of the house claims one of the reasons they can't sell their property is because they can't in good conscience not mention to prospective buyers that a convicted child molester lives nearby, which is commendable. What parent wouldn't do that?
Perhaps the memories associated with the house and the community are just to painful to bear, and moving is the best thing for everyone. If that's so, then by some miracle, I hope the lawsuit demanding Beck buy the $235,000 property works out for them and they can all finally begin to heal. If it doesn't, then it's time for the neighbors of the community to rally together and figure out another way to support this family and force Beck out. That's what neighbors are for.
Would you be able to live in a community where a known child molester resides?
Image via Images_of_Money/Flickr
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Comments 75
They should sue him for damages...equally the cost of the house and the move. Then, when they win, they maybe use the judgement to force him out of their house (here, you would put a lein on his house and all his property as well as garnish his wages until paid) or he will pay so they can move. They might not be able to force him to buy their house technically, but since there is a conviction, they should be able to get a financial settlement that will possibly force the other guy to move, or at least give them the money they need to move.
I think I can understand....maybe the parents just want to get out of a neighborhood where bad things happened to their little girl. She may be having nightmares, or other problems relating to what happened to her. Can't believe the guy got 1 year in jail. What about this 7 year old kid? So she'll get to carry around the memories of what happened to her for the rest of her life. I think the punishment for him should also be a lifetime...1 year is way too lenient. He'll just reoffend. Strangers can be a problem yes, but the majority of pedophiles stalk children they know. So moms, be sure you keep an eye on the odd uncle, next door neighbor, or anyone else who sends out weird vibes. I even know a child who was molested by her dad's girl friend's son. :-( It happens, usually from someone related or a friend of the family. It's up to parents to protect their kids...since it seems like our justice system won't. Unfortunately.
Wouldn't be an issue, I'd be in prison and he'd be dead so my kid's would be able to live a peaceful life even if it had to be without me. There is no way in hell this guy would have ever survived long enough to make it back home!