6 News in NC Discovers Sex Offender Living Next to a School

Investigators from 6 News tracked down a sex offender living right next to Forest Heights Elementary School in Gastonia, NC. The investigators also learned that the sex offender had been living there for months before either the school or local officials were notified of his presence.

Michael Leach’s original child sex offense put him on probation, requiring him to get his residence as well as place of work approved by a probation officer. However, when Leach failed to register as a sex offender, he was fined and placed on a different probation. The terms of this new probation do not carry the same restrictions on where Leach can and can and cannot live, leaving him free to move as close to children as he wishes.

6 News reports that since learning of Leach’s presence, the elementary school has instituted several protective measures, such as escorts for children walking past Leach’s house, to keep the children safe. However, reporters also caught a young child on tape visiting Leach’s home on multiple occasions. His probation officers were unaware of such visits, and are currently investigating the probation violation.

Currently, a law that would require sex offenders to live at least a quarter mile away from schools is stuck in review at Raleigh.

For more information see WCNC.com