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Child Predator Can Care for Disabled, County Says

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Paul Straw
Child Predator Can Care for Disabled, County Says
Michael George, Today's TMJ4
SHEBOYGAN FALLS-- Sheboygan County's Health and Human Services Board has ruled that a convicted child sex offender can run a group home for 2 developmentally disabled adults.

Paul Straw was convicted of child sexual assault 10 years ago. His victim and several others organized to protest his group home in Sheboygan Falls. In a separate incident, a man in Plymouth licensed to care for a mentally handicapped woman has admitted to police that he has had sexual contact with her for a year. Some say the incident shows that Straw shouldn't be allowed to run his home for disabled adults. Cheryl Werner, the group organizer, says she is outraged by the county's decision.

"I think it's disgusting, it's beyond disgusting. They're putting our developmentally disabled at risk."

Straw's victim and others demanded that his license be pulled. The county ruled that there were no grounds to pull his license.

Straw's victim, Leda Tenpas, is now 21. She said those people under his care are at risk.

"I know what he did to me, and if I found out that he did it to them, it would kill me," Tenpas said.

"I was appalled, because I have a disabled child, and there is no way I'd put my child in that home," said Cheryl Werner. Werner has been trying to get Straw's license pulled for a year.

A county representative told TODAY'S TMJ4 reporter Michael George that Straw is only allowed to care for two adults, and the families of those adults have been told about his criminal past. They believe he has been rehabilitated. But some parents still think Straw is dangerous.

"Would you put a bank robber as a bank teller? Would you give an alcoholic a job as a bartender? Once a sex offender, always a sex offender," said Pam Tenpas, mother of the victim.

In Plymouth, Dennis Thompson is facing 10 felony counts after admitting to police that he had repeated sexual contact with a 26-year old woman under his care with the capacities of a 3rd grader. He allegedly turned himself in after his wife caught him.

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Read the story on Today's TMJ4 (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

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Paul Straw, convicted child sex offender

Child Predator Can Care for Disabled, County Says Child Predator Can Care for Disabled, County Says Michael George, Today's TMJ4SHEBOYGAN FALLS-- Sheboygan County's Health and Human Services Board has ruled that a convicted child sex offender can run a group home for 2 developmentally disabled adults. Paul Straw was convicted of child sexual assault 10 years ago. His victim and several others organized to protest his group home in Sheboygan Falls.

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About the WPCR The Wisconsin Parents Coalition for the Retarded, Inc. (WPCR) is:Parent and guardian run -- no paid staff.The only statewide organization advocating for a FULL range of QUALITY residential choices including home, community residences, congregate and institutional settings (ICF/MR such as Central Wisconsin Center)A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; donations are tax deductible.Not affiliated with State Centers for the Developmentally Disabled or the Department of Health and Family Services.