Lawmakers Mull Changes in Sexual Predator Program

By  //  January 8, 2014

TALLAHASSEE  • FLORIDA — The House Healthy Families Subcommittee will hold a workshop on the state’s sexually violent predator program.

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The House and Senate are looking at making significant changes to the program after the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported in August that nearly 600 sexually violent predators had been released only to be convicted of new sex offenses — including more than 460 child molestations, 121 rapes and 14 murders.

Donald Smith
Donald Smith

Also, the state has faced high-profile incidents, such as the June murder of 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle in Jacksonville.

Recently-released sex offender Donald Smith was accused of abducting, raping and strangling the child. (3 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

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