Child Molester Fighting To Live Near Park In Elk Grove
ELK GROVE (CBS13) — A convicted child molester is living blocks away from a public park in Elk Grove and he's suing the city so he can stay there.
An Elk Grove city ordinance strictly bans sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools and parks, but registered offender Michael Escobar claims the city's restrictions are unconstitutional.
"It's an unconstitutional to make an ordinance that will make someone homeless without real good reason," said Escobar.
Escobar claims with only one year free after a nine year prison sentence, he does not have the funds to live on his own, but his parent's home is within about 900 feet of Jennie McConnel Park. A judge has temporarily allowed Escobar to live in the home while the lawsuit is hashed out.
"I don't go near that park. In fact, I have an agreement with my parole officer that I don't even drive by that park," said Escobar.
Escobar also claims he needs to care for his elderly mother at the home.
"We're gonna fight it. We've heard loud and clear from our citizens that they want these types of restrictions placed on child molesters," said Elk Grove's Vice Mayor Jim Cooper.
Cooper says the law is not going anywhere.
"He should have thought about that before he molested that child, and that's the bottom line," said Cooper.
Legal or not it's going to be a judge to decide.
"I'm trying to send a message that the politicians, when they make these laws, need to think of all of the ramifications of what the law is going to do," said Escobar.
