Some sex offenders in Florida allowed to pass out candy on Halloween

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Authorities are urging parents to check for sex offenders through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s website database before taking their children trick-or-treating on Monday.

More than 2,000 sex offenders live in Orange County.

"I know we have some in our neighborhood and we didn't trick or treat in our neighborhood last year, because of that," said Antonette Digristine, a mother of three.

FDLE said that sex offenders under supervision were given the following strict instructions regarding restrictions for the holiday:

• Do not give out candy or other treats
• Turn off porch lights and close blinds
• No outside decorations to attract children
• Do not answer the door to trick-or-treaters
• Do not dress in costume or masks
• Do not attend Halloween parties where children will be present

Reporter Janine Reyes found out it's perfectly legal for some sex offenders to pass out candy, as long as they're not on probation or community control.

In Brevard County, of the 927 registered sex offenders, 45 are confined or deceased and 13 are unaccounted for. Nearly 240 offenders are being supervised; that means they cannot participate in Halloween festivities.  However, 629 registered sex offenders are allowed to pass out candy.

The rules apply statewide. Seminole County deputies sent out an email that reiterated, “Only those on probation (supervision) must follow the sanctions."

In Titusville, officers go to sex offenders' homes every month to find out if they’re still registered, but not if the offenders who are on probation, planned on celebrating Halloween.

Cox Media Group