Sex offender in school
Updated: February 15, 2013
MATTOON -- A woman says she came face-to-face with her worst fear while visiting her son's school Thursday. That's when she saw a man who sexually abused her as a child.
She says that man was 54-year old John McCullough. He works at Villa Pizza and was making a delivery. It happened at Mattoon Middle School. WCIA-3's Megan Brilley investigated.
McCullough is a registered sex offender who sexually abused a 12-year old and served years in prison. Kassey Smith was leaving that day in her past until it was brought back to life Thursday afternoon.
It was a normal Valentine's Day for Kassey Smith. She was making plans with her husband, but decided to go see her son at school first. When she was leaving the building, she saw McCullough; the same man she says touched her as a child.
Enraged, she ran to her car and called police. Villa Pizza says McCullough was making a delivery. They got busy and didn't realize McCullough was being sent to the school.
The owners say they hired him because they wanted to give him a second chance at life. Other workers say McCullough lives with his wife and two kids and was trying to turn it all around.
But, seeing him brought Smith's life to a slamming halt. She couldn't believe the man who changed her life was in the same building as her son.
The law states a registered sex offender can not knowingly be at a school. If they must, they have to let someone know they are a sex offender and be supervised while in the building.
The district's superintendent says McCullough did not tell anyone his status. Now, Smith is doing all she can to get the word out and stop history from repeating itself.
Villa Pizza's owner says he fired McCullough because he knows he's not allowed near a school. The police chief could not be reached for comment. No word if McCullough will face any charges.
A registered sex offender can not live within 500-feet of a school, park or daycare. They also can not live within 500-feet of their victim. They also can not hold a job which would give them access to minors.
She says that man was 54-year old John McCullough. He works at Villa Pizza and was making a delivery. It happened at Mattoon Middle School. WCIA-3's Megan Brilley investigated.
McCullough is a registered sex offender who sexually abused a 12-year old and served years in prison. Kassey Smith was leaving that day in her past until it was brought back to life Thursday afternoon.
It was a normal Valentine's Day for Kassey Smith. She was making plans with her husband, but decided to go see her son at school first. When she was leaving the building, she saw McCullough; the same man she says touched her as a child.
Enraged, she ran to her car and called police. Villa Pizza says McCullough was making a delivery. They got busy and didn't realize McCullough was being sent to the school.
The owners say they hired him because they wanted to give him a second chance at life. Other workers say McCullough lives with his wife and two kids and was trying to turn it all around.
But, seeing him brought Smith's life to a slamming halt. She couldn't believe the man who changed her life was in the same building as her son.
The law states a registered sex offender can not knowingly be at a school. If they must, they have to let someone know they are a sex offender and be supervised while in the building.
The district's superintendent says McCullough did not tell anyone his status. Now, Smith is doing all she can to get the word out and stop history from repeating itself.
Villa Pizza's owner says he fired McCullough because he knows he's not allowed near a school. The police chief could not be reached for comment. No word if McCullough will face any charges.
A registered sex offender can not live within 500-feet of a school, park or daycare. They also can not live within 500-feet of their victim. They also can not hold a job which would give them access to minors.
Comments
First I wanted to say it's about time somebody gave a former felon a chance, but now that you fired him boo for you. If he just went into the school to drop off a pizza he was supervised by staff in the office. Which is the same thing he would have done to register with the school. This lady needs to go on with her life and don't let it ruin her and her kids. Before you think I'm cruel I was also molested at 9 years old and never reported it. And many years later while my mother was in a nursing home her nurse was my molester but was a very good nurse to my mom. Since this person turned their life around I didn't feel the need to point out who they were. Felons will never stop repeating any crime if they can't work and have a reasonably normal life. We need to rehabilitate instead to stop re-offenses.
jane j.
February 16, 2013 at 2:49 pm
