A Missouri mother is “repulsed” after a judge rules that registered sex offenders are not required to post signs on Halloween that say “No candy or treats allowed in this residence.” .
District Judge John A. Ross ruled in favor of a change in state law that since 2008 has required sex offenders to post a sign that reads “No candy or treats allowed in this residence.” did. Ross declared the law unconstitutional because it violated First Amendment rights.
Tara Bishop, who runs the Facebook page Child Predators Exposid, which has more than 10,000 followers, told Fox News Digital that the ruling puts the rights of predators ahead of the rights of victims. Ta.
“I am disgusted when I see articles about the rights of people who have been convicted of sexually abusing someone and then using their freedom of speech to hide behind that act,” she said. Ta. “I think it’s completely ridiculous, it’s really upsetting, and it makes me feel like they have more say than the victims in our justice system.”
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Tara Bishop, who runs a Facebook page called Child Predators Exposid, which has more than 10,000 followers, told Fox News Digital that the Missouri ruling prioritizes the rights of predators over the rights of victims. spoke. (Fox News Digital)
“I am disgusted when I see articles about the rights of people who have been convicted of sexual abuse and who use their freedom of speech to try to hide behind that act.” — Tara Bishop
Missouri law still requires Halloween registrants to stay inside their homes and turn off outdoor lights from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Despite this provision, Mr Bishop said he was “disappointed” with the ruling and said it was a sign of a broken justice system.
“This is not just a sign (of a sex offender), it gives convicted offenders a greater say in the justice system than their victims,” she said.
“Time and time again, I’ve heard stories of people who went through the grueling process of prosecuting their abusers only to end up getting a slap on the wrist or not being allowed back into society,” she says.
“I’m very sorry.”
While trick-or-treating on Halloween, children choose sweets from a bowl of candy. (St. Petersburg)
Tips for safe trick-or-treating:
Bishop offered some practical tips that he uses to have a safe and fun trick-or-treating night.
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“I take my kids to events like trunk-or-treat, and I stay with them throughout those events,” she said. “We sometimes go into neighborhoods to trick-or-treat, but usually they end up going to neighborhoods that we know well and places where we know people.”
Tara Bishop, a 40-year-old Missouri mother of four who runs a Facebook page called Child Predators Exposed, told Fox News Digital that the ruling was more important than the rights of the victims. He said the rights of predators take precedence. (Fox News Digital)
As a parent, Bishop made a point of staying close to her children throughout the fun night and paying attention to who they interact with.
“Make sure they aren’t wandering around and pay attention to who is chatting with them,” she said.
A man waves an American flag while walking outside the Missouri State Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Jefferson City, Missouri. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
Bishop said he has made it a habit to check the National Sex Offender Registry regularly.
“It’s constantly updated,” she said. “Check the areas you frequent and be aware of who is around you.”
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In Springfield, Missouri, where Bishop lives, there are 840 registered sex offenders.
“The ratio of residents to sex offenders is 199 to 1,” she said. “And again, that’s a convicted sex offender, not a sex offender who has never been investigated or prosecuted.
“It’s scary in some ways and eye-opening in some ways,” Bishop said. “And I don’t want to be cynical. I just want people to pay attention.”
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on January 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Graham Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Following Ross’ ruling, Republican Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said he planned to appeal the ruling.
“I want Missouri to be the safest state in America for children,” he said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “This includes Halloween. We will immediately appeal.”
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“I sincerely hope that the appeal is successful and sends a message that Missouri will not stand up against sexual abuse,” Bishop said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Eastern District of Missouri for comment.
