Authorities Reel Over Parolees' Stunning Alleged Crimes in 2 States
As a report released today harshly criticized those in charge of monitoring the California parole of convicted sex offender and alleged child-kidnapper Phillip Garrido, who is accused of kidnapping an 11-year-old and keeping her at his home for nearly 20 years, observers are also asking questions about a stunning Ohio case.
How, they wonder, could a convicted sex offender escape parole authorities’ scrutiny long enough to allegedly murder multiple women and conceal their bodies in his home there?
At last count, authorities report that they have found remains of 11 people in the Cleveland home of Anthony Sowell and plan to tear the walls apart to make sure there aren’t any more, recounts the On Deadline blog of USA today.
Sowell, 50, who was previously convicted of attempted rape, is being held without bond on five murder counts and other charges.
Praising Garrido as a model parolee, those in charge of monitoring him missed numerous clues that could have pointed them to Jaycee Dugard, the victim Garrido allegedly kidnapped when she was 11 and housed in a makeshift shelter in his back yard until earlier this year, contends a blistering report by the California inspector general. It says parole officials properly monitored Garrido only 12 of the 123 months he was under their supervision, reports MCT News Service.
Critics say these high-profile cases reflect a situation throughout the country in which high-risk criminals are not being properly monitored by overwhelmed parole officials, reports CBS News.
Among they suggestions they offer: Identify and monitor most closely those who are considered most dangerous.
Additional coverage:
ABC News: “Cleveland Murder Case Highlights Broken Sex Offender System”
Los Angeles Times: “Jaycee Dugard case elicits strong criticism from California prison watchdog”
Plain Dealer: “Sowell’s violent past offers glimpse of accused rapist suspected of mass murder”
