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Father lobbies for tougher restraints on child molesters
By Times Staff Writer
Published April 7, 2005
TALLAHASSEE - The father of Jessica Lunsford, the 9-year-old Homosassa girl abducted from her bed and killed, urged lawmakers Wednesday to pass the toughest version of legislation cracking down on sexual offenders.
"Changes are coming," Mark Lunsford told reporters. "They're just around the corner."
Lunsford was joined by Sen. Nancy Argenziano, R-Dunnellon, who is sponsoring legislation to increase penalties for sex offenders, including lifetime imprisonment or supervision by electronic monitoring for child molesters.
"Kids should be able to go to bed at night without worrying they're going to be taken out of their homes," said Argenziano as tears welled in her eyes. "Jessie's death should not be in vain.
John Couey pleaded not guilty in Jessica's death. The written plea was filed Monday by Couey's attorney, Daniel M. Lewan. Couey, 46, is being held without bail at the Citrus County jail. He is a registered sex offender who had violated his probation.
Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy was also in Tallahassee on Wednesday to voice his support for the proposed legislation.
"There are blaring holes in the state's laws," Dawsy told the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, which unanimously approved the bill.
[Last modified April 7, 2005, 01:22:13]
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