Parent Who is a Registered Sex Offender Must Have Written Permission to Enter Poinsettia Elementary

A registered sex offender living and working in Carlsbad who was last in a classroom at for a Halloween event will no longer have an open invitation to step foot in the school.

Superintendent Dr. John Roach told Carlsbad Patch on Thursday, “Going forth he is not to be on campus except when he has requested written permission to do something. Picking up or dropping off his children from the parking lot is fine, but everything else needs written permission each time.”

The registered sex offender, who Patch has decided not to identify, was arrested and charged with first-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child in 1994. He could not be reached by Patch for comment.

This sex offender is registered in California, and as well as the school district were aware of his status. Parents of children at Poinsettia Elementary, however, were not aware of this particular parent’s background until another parent, who receives email alerts when a sex offender moves into the neighborhood, received such an email.

That parent shared the email with others at the school. One parent whose daughter is in the same class as the sex offender’s child decided to take further action.

“When I got the email, I went to see the school principal, Mr. Ahle,” the parent said. “I was concerned because my daughter plays with his kids. The principal said there nothing he could do, it’s a legal thing.”

The parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, went to the police but learned the offender was within his rights. Other concerned parents set up a meeting with the police department as well.

“I was just floored that this type of sex offender could be at my kid’s school, but I’ve never been contacted,” said the concerned parent. He decided to contact the school district and Assembly Member , telling Patch, “If he can get within arm’s length of a kid, I’m not leaving it to chance. Statistics show it’s a crime often repeated.”

Garrick got back to the parent explaining that under California penal code 626.81 an offender must have lawful business at a school to enter “and a sex offender needs written permission to be on campus.”

Roach said the district was not aware of recent changes to the penal code requiring written permission in addition to lawful business. “Mr. Ahle will meet with the sex offender early next week and go over those limitations,” Roach said.

Several concerned parents have confronted the sex offender and called him at his work. One parent said he is aware that some people will see this as a “lynch-mob” mentality.

“Some say I should forgive him; it was a crime done a long time ago. But are you kidding me? Would you be comfortable with a guy who did that to someone your daughter’s age being in her classroom?” the parent said.

His advice to other Carlsbad-area parents “Look in your area who’s on meganslaw.ca.gov.”