Was Jessica Ridgeway Killed by Sex Offender?

The murder of Jessica Ridgeway has some news sources claiming there are holes in how registered sex offenders are tracked. However, there is no indication that an RSO kidnapped and murdered the 10-year-old Westminster, Colorado girl. In the state of Missouri, as the girl's father lives there, attention is being given to the fact that many states don't enforce tracking of sex offenders.

While it should go without saying that sex offenders should be tracked by every state they're in, this case isn't yet pertaining to this topic. It's not yet known who killed Jessica. It's not known whether it was a sex offender, someone who knew the girl or someone who isn't a prior offender who has no criminal record. It's just not known.

If the killer of the 10-year-old girl turns out to be a registered sex offender, then most certainly there needs to be some attention given to whether or not the laws and tracking is too lenient in Colorado (or elsewhere for that matter). However, it just seems like a premature move to start assuming that the murderer is someone on a registry somewhere. It's likely, just not yet known for a fact in this case.

Comments: 15

Amanda Ludden Oct 17, 2012, 8:18am UTC

OH MY GAWD An article the trolls havent hazed.

However, there is no indication that an RSO kidnapped and murdered the 10-year-old Westminster, Colorado girl. In the state of Missouri, as the girl's father lives there, attention is being given to the fact that many states don't enforce tracking of sex offenders.

I know it doesnt have anything to do with it yet, but why the hell wouldnt they be tracked? Anyways, even though we do not know yet, I think it could be a possibility IMHO. But like you said it is too early to assume.

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Alex Smith Oct 17, 2012, 9:35am UTC

["there needs to be some attention given to whether or not the laws and tracking is too lenient in Colorado"]

Hi Chelsea, thank you for the article. Can you, or anyone tell me exactly what laws can be made to better 'track and monitor' "sex offenders" who have completed their prison, parole or probation sentences?

I mean, once an offender finishes their sentence, what 'Constitutional' restrictions do they face that law enforcement can put in place that would deter or eliminate the possibilities if they decide they want to rape and kill?

My feeling is that there isn't anything we can do to prohibit such an act other then the obvious and that is making sure our children are monitored at all times, not the exact opposite.

Amanda Ludden Oct 17, 2012, 9:56am UTC

Very good point Alex.

My feeling is that there isn't anything we can do to prohibit such an act other then the obvious and that is making sure our children are monitored at all times, not the exact opposite.

I completely agree.

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Shelly Stow Oct 18, 2012, 10:18am UTC

On your favorite soap box I see, Chelsea. I'll stay out of it and let the FBI speak.

This is from the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, Crimes Against Children: Abductions

“In 2010… less than 1 percent of the abductors were RSOs.

“RSOs contribute to a miniscule part of the child abduction problem. In contrast to media reporting, the number of cases involving a registered sex offender is decreasing. In addition to the FBI reporting, NCMEC has revealed that there were no RSOs involved in AMBER Alert cases in 2009.

“Although abductors can vary in age, race, or physicality, the FBI assesses with high confidence that the majority of child abductors involved in FBI child abduction cases, CARD team deployments, and AMBER Alerts have a relationship with the child victim. Moreover, despite media reporting, the FBI confidently assesses that the majority of child abductions are committed by persons with a relationship to the child they abduct.”

http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/law-enforcement-bulletin/august-2011/crimes-against-children-spotlight

Chelsea Hoffman Oct 18, 2012, 2:05pm UTC

Soapbox?

you shared links that support what I said.

Shelly Stow Oct 18, 2012, 4:58pm UTC

LOL; has that happened before? Hope it won't be the last time.

Chelsea Hoffman Oct 18, 2012, 4:59pm UTC

????

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Alex Smith Oct 18, 2012, 8:27pm UTC

It looks like my question was way over Chelsea Hoffman's pay grade. It's either that or she knows the answer but is too afraid to look soft on sex offenders so she can only respond with silence.

Chelsea, do you have even the slightest notion of what you're talking about? Please stick to what you know and leave this up to the professionals. Thanks.

Chelsea Hoffman Oct 18, 2012, 8:34pm UTC

If you insult every person who doesn't get to your questions in the timing you want, then you probably shouldn't expect to be acknowledged by anyone of any "pay grade" higher than fast food worker.

I have not yet read your comments, but judging by your behavior toward me because I am not getting to you as quickly as you want me to -- I probably won't address you or any of your comments again after this post.

Have a good one and do work on your delivery. A little respect and patience goes a long way.

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Alex Smith Oct 18, 2012, 8:49pm UTC

Sure, that's it - you didn't get to it yet. I'll believe that if you admit that you were too busy re-reading your article and realized how idiotic this sounds:

["If the killer of the 10-year-old girl turns out to be a registered sex offender, then most certainly there needs to be some attention given to whether or not the laws and tracking is too lenient in Colorado"]

Chelsea Hoffman Oct 18, 2012, 9:09pm UTC

I never understood the over-sensitivity some people display when others discuss RSOs... but then again, my name isn't on a registry and I don't have an ax to grind

Alex Smith Oct 19, 2012, 9:09am UTC

Chelsea it's quite apparent that there is a lot you do not understand regarding the issues.

It doesn't matter how you spin it. You should be embarrassed with yourself. You made a comment that embodies the error of how we have been dealing with sex crimes in this country. Instead of being proactive in our approach, we have a reactionary response to crimes like these and create laws that make it far too easy for people like poor Jessica’s murderer to prevail in all aspects of their endeavors. It is apparent that we are failing. Your idea is to put more children in harm’s way.

So, when news media and politicians grunt in cadence to perpetuate more lies, you better believe I am going to say something so long as I have the right.

Chelsea Hoffman Oct 19, 2012, 5:23pm UTC

I hardly think you know what you are talking about.

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Shelly Stow Oct 19, 2012, 4:58pm UTC

Alex, I believe that you may be missing the point. You are certainly correct that good parenting is essential. My ears are getting pretty old now, but I can still hear my mother's warnings about going anywhere with someone that I did not know. Surely we have all told our children that. However, obsessing over "stranger danger" to the point of believing that the risk to children is someone out there, someone who needs to be monitored and tracked, and believing that the monitoring and tracking can never be adequate, is refusing to look at facts. Those facts show that it isn't some stranger out there, registered or unregistered, tracked or untracked, who is likely to molest our children. It's those who tuck them into bed at night and sleep down the hall; it's those they play with at school and after school; it's those who are in and out of our homes like family and those who have relationships of trust with them. It's those who would be the last ones anyone would expect. More tracking and registering isn't the answer. If we really want to stop the sexual molestation of children, we must stop spending our money and our time and efforts on where it isn't happening and start focusing on where it is.

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Was Jessica Ridgeway Killed by Sex Offender?

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