Utah Mom Finds 'Pedophile Safe Haven' On Internet
Debbie Worthen
Reporting
(KUTV) SALT LAKE CITY An alert tonight from a Utah mom who says her
myspace account revealed a disturbing website that calls itself a
"safe haven" for pedophiles.
Anyone who surfs the web could stumble onto, or even be solicited by
the website.
Just like many things on the web, the site is disturbing but not
illegal.
The woman says she logged on to her myspace account and found a post
about it. She says she's sickened by it.
Authorities say this is a good time to remind parents what's out there
and how dangerous this site can be.
Chellie Ehrhart was appalled by one specific post on her myspace page.
"I had this post that talks about a website that's pretty much a safe
haven for pedophiles," says Chellie
Ken Wallentine is over the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce.
He says Chellie should be disgusted. But more than that he says it's a
good reminder of what, and who, is on myspace.
"We did a random study one day last fall, in October and found over
600 registered sex offenders with myspace pages using their own
names," Wallentine says.
That doesn't include those who use false names, or those who have
never been convicted. Wallentine says it's a reason to worry and to
take action.
"There is no substitute for parents being parents," he said.
Chellie says the website should be shut down, "I would really like to
see something done about this."
Wallentine says that's not as easy as it sounds, especially since it's
based out of Amsterdam. But he says when it comes to the internet you
have to be smart for yourself, and for your kids.
"Look, you wouldn't send a five year old out to cross a six lane
freeway," says Wallentine, "so why would you let a five year old go
out on the information superhighway where there are things just as
dangerous as speeding semi trucks?"
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