A convicted child molester, who served 15 years of a 40-year sentence, moved into my neighborhood. This man admitted to repeatedly molesting a 9-year-old boy. I contacted the Wake County Sheriff's Department to find out what I should do if I see the man scoping out my neighborhood, which is full of children. I was told that the man had "served his time" and that he cannot come within 1,000 feet of a school or day-care center nor can he work with children. Other than that, he can walk in my neighborhood.

I see from your article that Judge Ripley Rand also believes that these men have served their time and that it would not be fair to continue their punishment. What does it mean exactly when you say that a convicted child molester has "served his time"? Does it mean that he will no longer have the sick urges to have sex with children?

To say that an individual who stole a TV and went to prison had served his time, I can agree with that. However, we are talking about something much more complicated and dangerous than that!

Nancy Haire

Fuquay Varina