Two Sex Offenders Move into Early

Knowing that one sex offender lives in your neighborhood is enough to scare any parent, but for the Govers, two registered sex offenders moved into the house next door.

Carlyle Gover, a sheriff's deputy says, "it changed the whole outlook of the neighborhood."

Deputy Gover says his children were excited to meet their new neighbors, until a friend from the Early Police Department called and told Deputy Gover the people moving in just registered as sex offenders.

Deputy Gover and his wife Becky, had to deliver the bad news to their children.

"This isn't the boogie man that they can't see, this is someone who lives next door, and that was a little disheartening to have to tell my kids," says Mrs. Gover.

Since the new neighbors moved in, one offender moved out. By living with another registered sex offender, Maria Gardner violated her terms of probation. Initially, her landlord from Southpark Development Homes moved her to another house two doors down, but Garner has since moved to Brownwood.

"They didn't know or didn't care how many children lived here," said Deputy Gover.

KTAB contacted Southpark Development Homes, but they refused to comment. The Govers say at least ten children under the age of 12 live on their street, and the remaining offender's history worries them. Larry Sanders was arrested four times for indecent exposure to minors.

"Most of the kids on the street know what's going on, and watch out for one another, but it has definitely put a change in the way that they do play," says Mrs. Gover.

Many parents in the neighborhood want Sanders out, which is why they expressed their concerns at a city council meeting on Tuesday. The Govers went door-to-door passing out flyers to neighbors letting them know a sex offender moved in. Dozens banded together and filled up city hall. They urged city officials to consider drafting an ordinance that would restrict where registered sex offenders can live.

"If we're about to do it, I'm sure it would pass. I have faith in the city of Early," says Deputy Gover.

Until the city passes an ordinance, parents will need to keep close watch on their children. The Early Police Department says they patrol The Govers' neighborhood regularly knowing the dangers that might face children, but advise parents to know where their children are at all times.
 
To find out if registered sex offenders live in your neighborhood, you can check the Crime Records Service on the DPS Website.