If ever an argument was needed in support of expanding the scope of criminal background checks, this story would be it.
Edward Yancey, a registered sex-offender has been working as a volunteer youth basketball coach for Long Beach, Mississippi’s city recreation program.
The program did run a criminal background check on Yancey, but only in his county of residence. The problem with that is Yancey moved to the area last month and was told to register his new address with the Department of Public Safety. They gave him 10 days to comply, but he failed to follow through.
Had the city’s recreation program expanded their criminal background check to include a nationwide sex offender search, they would have discovered that Yancey is a registered sex offender with a classification of “violent.”
Furthermore, conducting a federal criminal search at his previous address would have provided them with the details of his conviction leading to the sex offender status. Yancey was convicted in 1998 of using a computer to send sexually explicit materials. He was given 3 years of probation, mental counseling and has to register as a sex offender.
Yancey now faces two charges: failing to register as a sex offender and allegedly molesting a 10-year old boy. His bond is set at $1 million.
Tags: coach background check, coach criminal record, registered sex offender, youth coach
I cannot understand how it does not occur to people to run a sex offender search when someone is working around children. Hopefully someone will take notice and things will change now!
How awful! This is why all employers should conduct background checks. I mean honestly, as a parent, I feel disgusted, repulsed and duped.
Myself being a parent, I personally check all of my sons coaches on http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov for any sexual offense. Sometimes you have to take things into your own hands to assure the safety of your children rather then relying on a school/organization that funnels funds into other actions they deem more important than background checks.
The CA Megan’s law site is good, but that only searches California. I search Public Background Checks because it searches nationwide and it also includes other types of criminal records.
I agree with latoya, it is not just sex offenders I would be worried about if my child was involved. I think companies like http://www.iamscreened.com are great because it would even pass the cost of the search off to the potential Coach. I used that sight once and it gave me an access code i could then give to potential employers to see my background. That was for employment but i imagine the prospective coach could give his access code to parents so they could be assured that he was safe around their kids.
Background checks are not free, and the US economy is hurting, companies are cutting jobs etc… but, companies and organizations should make background checking mandatory. Running a background check is prevention, not a cost.
The 10-year old is going to pay a price far greater than it would have cost to run a background check correctly.
Parents and organizations need to realize that they are the first line of defense and both should take their own measures to protect the children. Parents need to be pro-active as well as any youth organization. Knock, Knock…any one home!?!
Being a coach of a fifth graders, this is terrible. So many good people out there trying to help but also predators out there trying to prey on little kids. Companies should offer discounts to youth leagues.
People like this take the joy out of allowing young children to enjoy sports and other activities. It’s such a shame.
The CA Megan’s law site is good, but that only searches California. I search Public Background Checks because it searches nationwide and it also includes other types of criminal records.
Parents and organizations need to realize that they are the first line of defense and both should take their own measures to protect the children. Parents need to be pro-active as well as any youth organization. Knock, Knock…any one home!?!
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