Child predator living near day care now in jail

A convicted child predator is in trouble with the law again after deputies said he was living less than a football field away from a Fort Myers day care.

Lawrence Lanard Kafus, 39, is a registered sex offender in Florida, and tonight he is back behind bars.

“The safety of our children is the most important thing in our communities,” Joe Reszkowski said.

Kafus’ registered address was Lehigh Acres. When deputies went to check on him multiple times, he was not there. His recent arrest report said he moved in with his girlfriend on Thomas Street and never notified law enforcement. His new address put him 250 feet from Jackson Large Family Child Care Home and less than 1000 feet from Franklin Park Magnet School.

“I think it’s a good idea for us to know who those child predators are and where they are in our communities,” Reszkowski said.

Deputies said Kafus was convicted in 2015 for inappropriate behavior with a child under the age of 18.

“It’s one of those things that you should keep those databases up to date,” Reszkowski said.

Florida law requires any registered sex offender to stay 1,000 feet from a school, childcare facility, park or playground.

Neighbors said they are keeping a much closer eye on their neighborhood using the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) app. It shows registered sex offender in the area.

It is a felony in the state when a registered sex offender does not notify law enforcement of a residential move/change of address.

“Know your neighbor,” Reszkowski said. “That’s the biggest thing. know your neighbor,”