We sold our home to a pedophile.

[IMGONNABE40!]

This is really a rotten feeling. And yes, he did commit the crimes in the home. There was no reason for us to know that it would turn out this way. He had no record prior to the recent arrest. In fact, it seemed like he would make a great neighbor. I just hate that my neighbors are going through this. It does not seem like any of the neighborhood kids were involved, but that is little comfort when I know the house was used to abuse kids.

I must add, though, that he has not yet been convicted. I had been hoping that it would turn out that he was being set up, but circumstances surrounding the arrest would seem to indicate otherwise. When the police showed up, he locked himself in the house and went to the kitchen and started slashing his wrists and throat. The police found video tapes soaking in a cleaning solution (in an attempt to destroy them, so they think). The defense attorney just lost a motion to suppress the admission of the tapes at trial.

 

[Big V]

That's really sad, but don't beat yourself up over it. There is no way you could have known.

 

[GoofItUp]

How sad for the children. There is certainly no way you could have known that he would do this. I'm just glad they caught the pervert and hopefully will put him away so he can't hurt anyone else.

 

[Bob Slydell]

You mean recently?? Or years after you sold your home to the person, he turned out to be one??

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

We sold our house to him 5/02 and he was arrested 2/04. When we sold we knew that he had previously been involved in foster care and mentoring "at risk" youth and we thought that was really noble of him. It turns out that some of the young men he mentored are the ones who came forward as victims. The local department of human services was quick to point out that no foster children were in his care, nor did they suspect that any were victims. Some of the other kids he mentored also came forward to say that he is a great guy and they do not believe the allegations.

 

[HappyMommy2]

Wow, I can certainly see how you have a yucky feeling about that. However, always remember that there is no way you could have known what was going to happen.

Thank God that this person has been caught. If he truly is guilty of these crimes I hope he will pay dearly for what he has done.

 

[N.Bailey]

2 years or so ago, in our town, just around the corner from me, a judge (turned in by his own daughter) was arrested for being a pedophile. I guess he was giving the local kids money for things. I'm not sure what those things were because he committed suicide before going to trial. The reporters were all over trying to get anything they could (as I said, he was a judge). I seen MY kids out there with the reporters (my kids were not involved) and I ran out and yelled for them to come in right away. I did NOT want them on the evening news being portrayed as possible victims.

Anyway, I'm sorry that you're going through all of this. It's not your fault, and I hope you're not feeling that type of guilt. If you have any close friends with children, I would discretely warn them.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Don't beat yourself up..there is no way you could have known and even if you did know, you could not have prevented him from buying the home if he had the $. There are laws to protect even the scum of the earth!

 

[sgtdisney]

Is this that television news reporter in Ohio? As the others said, I wouldn't beat yourself up over it. There is no way anyone could have known.

 

[battricia]

Please don't beat yourself up over this, it's not your fault! It most likely (unfortunately) would have happened nomatter where he lived. I'm really sorry for the children and community involved.

tricia.

 

[missypie]

This probably wouldn't have helped in your situation, but for everyone selling property of any type, you might just want to google the purchaser before you sign a contract. I knew someone who was selling property and we googled the prospective buyer and found out that he was closely related to a major international criminal venture. The owner declined to sell to him. If you do this, make sure your listing agreement lets you decline to sell to criminals, etc., or you will still owe a commission.