A previous post merely stated an incident that recently occurred rather than requesting that citizens petition local authorities to keep from releasing a sex offender who poses a flight risk. Please read and take action. Your help is greatly appreciated. Crimes against children seem to be increasing every day. We recognize them in the faces of our clergy, teachers, neighbors, family members, etc. The list is staggering. We see the broken spirits of what were once young and innocent children. These are the faces of our future.

It is not the strange introverted hermits or the outwardly eccentric man next door that you have to be cautious of anymore as much as the people that live in your very own home, supervise and teach in our schools, lead in our churches or frequent many of the places with which you are familiar. This is quite unnerving. How do we know whom our children can trust? To whom do we send them when they are vulnerable or need help? That is a question that doesn't seem to have an answer anymore.

Take for instance, a predator recently arrested in Waynesville, North Carolina. On May 15, 2008, 58 year old Robert Carl Duke, Jr. was arrested in his father's home on an unknown number of sexual molestation charges. These charges stem from atrocities committed against members of his own family (ages 5-16 yrs). Reportedly, he has left a wake of countless victims ranging from family members, friends, and acquaintances for 40+ years until his recent arrest. Many of his victims have failed to come forward for years because of threats of violence made against them. He has an extensive criminal history and escaped prison many years ago.

At present, Mr. Duke is in Mission Hospital due to a spike in his blood pressure upon arrest. A police officer is posted in his hospital room to avoid any chance of him becoming a flight risk. Please write or call these local figures to support "NO BAIL" for this perpetrator. Time is of the essence. Please let your friends and family know and request that they take a few minutes to help support this cause.

Chief Bill Hollingsed

9 South Main Street

Waynesville, NC 28786

Phone (828) 456-5363 ext. 2101

Fax (828) 456-2001

wpdchief@charter.net

District Attorney's Office - Mike Bonfoey 285 North Main Street, Suite 3200 Waynesville, NC 28786 Phone 828-454-6510 Fax 828-456-4846

We need to as responsible American citizens come up with a better plan than is currently implemented in an effort to protect our children from these predators. We can't kiss and bandage these wounds on our children. We must do something more. Our society will become a populace of broken spirits of which we cannot mend. This is happening everyday to our children. Turning a blind eye or pushing it to the back of our minds will not help. Let us lobby for tougher laws against these perpetrators.