Turlock outraged over plans to release sexually violent offenders

TURLOCK, Calif. – Outcry is growing in Turlock after residents learned that two sexually violent offenders may be released in the middle of their community.

“The protection of our residents and our children must take priority over the rights of a four-time convicted sex offender,” said Turlock Police Chief Jason Hedden.

Families and elected officials called for the possible release of convicted child molesters Kevin Scott Gray and Timothy Roger Weathers at a protest rally and press conference on Friday.

“It’s absolutely horrific,” said Stanislaus County resident Erica Farmer. “I mean, no child or anyone should ever experience sexual violence.”

Gray and Weathers have forced some of the most innocent people – children – to experience just that.

The two – who were convicted of abusing a total of seven children in Stanislaus County in Southern California and the state of Wyoming – were recommended by Liberty Health to be released from the state hospital and transferred to the community of Turlock.

“There are no street lights in the area, which creates a very dangerous environment. Additionally, it is right next to a bar, and we know that alcohol was a precursor to Gray’s abuse of children,” said State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil. “How did Liberty Health and the Department of State Hospitals make their decision to house Gray here?”

Liberty Health did not respond to a request for comment. The Department of State Hospitals said it could not comment directly on the matter due to privacy laws.

Although authorities have not yet identified the house where the two will be housed, neighbors believe it is located on Central Avenue – right next to the home of Erica Farmer and her family.

“I homeschool my daughter here and we have children here all the time. Especially the fact that my children are in the realm of the fetishes of these two pedophiles,” Farmer said. “We will not allow that.”

For this reason, Farmer, along with dozens of others, took part in a protest outside the property, which was scheduled to be visited by state officials on Friday.

But shortly after noon, Turlock Police Chief Jason Hedden joined the protesters and informed organizers that the planned visit had been postponed.

“There is absolutely no reason in a civilized society to take the risk that Gray would make another child his victim,” said Raj Singh, spokesman for the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office.

The Stanislaus County District Attorney says he found several factors that could disqualify the place where the court wanted to house the two sex offenders. It is now up to a judge whether the two will be housed in that home. Despite the canceled visit, police officials and neighbors have a message.

“We will fight against it,” Farmer said. “There’s no way that’s going to happen.”

See more from ABC10: Concerns grow over release and detention of sexually violent offenders in Stanislaus County