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May 9, 2008 6:25 pm US/Eastern
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Convicted Child Killer Moves To Manchester
MANCHESTER, N.H. (WBZ) ―
Police in Manchester, N.H., are alerting people of a convicted child murderer who has just been released from prison and is moving into the area.
Douglas Simmons served 21 years for kidnapping and killing 6-year-old Michelle Spencer in Connecticut in 1981.
He has moved into a house on Amherst Street right next door to the city's library and near a couple of parks.
"I'm completely scared about it," said Manchester resident Sara Arnold.
Arnold said she is concerned for her safety and the safety of customers at her comic book store after learning she now shares a building with Simmons.
"I don't know what's happening around here. I don't know how this guy could be living in the neighborhood with the rest of us," she said.
Police said Simmons also admitted to sexually assaulting Michelle Spencer before killing her.
After first trying to live in Derry, Simmons moved to Amherst Street in Manchester.
There are no restrictions on where Simmons can live in Manchester but police are getting the word out.
"In this instance, based on the offenses in Mr. Simmons' past, we decided to make notifications to media and school districts and the local library regarding to the fact he had registered with us and resides here in Manchester," said Maureen Tessier with the Manchester Police Department. "Some of the past offenses were very egregious, and we were concerned for public safety."
Police say they'll be doing random checks to make sure Simmons lives where he says he is. Tessier says it's part of an effort to make sure Simmons lives where says he is.
"I wish they had a community for people like that so they're away from the children. Away from anyone they can do harm to," she said.
Some communities in New Hampshire have ordinances that restrict where child sex offenders can live.
The city of Dover's policy is now being challenged in court by the New Hampshire ACLU. They say child sex offenders can't live within 2,500 feet of a day care or school.
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