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SALT LAKE CITY -- A government watchdog agency finds even though state laws ban sex offenders from having contact with children, they're getting jobs as volunteers, contractors, and even teachers and administrators.
This investigation shows registered sex offenders are getting jobs in schools across the country mainly because the school officials are failing to do their jobs.
USA Today reports the U.S. Government Accountability Office says school officials in some states ignore the red flags or even cover up behavior. Others say it takes too much time to do a criminal background check, or they don't push it because they are afraid they could be sued.
The report was based on a review of 15 cases in 11 states over the last decade. It involved people with histories of sexual misconduct working in public or private schools. Of those, 11 offenders had previously targeted children, and six abused more children in their new positions.
Utah requires background checks for all public school employees.
E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com
