"Would you like some cotton candy, little girl?"

For some reason, I keep finding stories that not only make me relieved that I don’t have kids, but profoundly sympathetic for those who do. And here’s another one.

Carnivals are supposed to be good family fun events. Yeah, the contests are usually a little rigged, and the rides a little on the scuzzy side, but for the most part they’re supposed to be little havens for the youngsters. Especially when they’re being held on the grounds of an elementary school

You certainly don’t expect to find out that one ride operator was convicted of twice raping a four-year-old girl.

Mr. Leaor is currently facing charges of failing to register as a sex offender — a felony in Massachusetts. And I strongly suspect that if carnivals, fairs, circuses, amusement parks, and the like are not already on the list of places that are required to do background checks of employees, they will be added post-haste.

Mr. Leaor’s offense was back in 1986, and he’s apparently kept his nose clean in the nearly 20 years since then, so there appears to have been no imminent threat to children by his mere presence. But child molesting has one of the highest rates of recidivism of any crime, and some actions can, should, and will follow you for the rest of your life. Raping a four-year-old has to be high on that list.

So, Mr. Leaor, I’m glad you haven’t re-offended in the last 19 years. Pity you couldn’t accept all the consequences of your horrific act back then. Please enjoy your stay as a guest of the Commonwealth.

New York Times Public Editor Leaves A Few Parting Gifts
Hacks versus hacks

33 Comments

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