June 7, 2006
 
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Time to Act to Save Children in WV from Pedophiles
 
Dear Editor: This year West Virginia’s leaders played politics and failed to get tough on child molesters. This June, the West Virginia legislature will have another chance to take action and protect our children from pedophiles.
 
We will have a chance to tell adults that if they sexually assault a child under 12 years old, they will go to jail for at least 25 years. Sexual crimes against a child under 12 will require a mandatory sentence with no probation, no home confinement, and no alternative sentencing if there was force, a predatory act, weapon, or kidnaping involved in the crime.
 
Sexual offenders on probation will be subject to electronic monitoring including the possibility of GPS monitoring paid for by the criminal. Any sexual predator sentenced to mandatory 10-year supervision will be prohibited from living or working within 1,000 feet of a school or daycare facility.
 
We must pass this legislation now, in an effort to prevent pedophiles from further victimizing our children.
 
Cindy Frich
WV House of Delegates, 44th District,
Morgantown, WV
(304) 599-1309