Mom furious after state Halloween law aimed at protecting children from child predators weakened

A mother from Missouri is being “dismissed” after a judge ruled that registered sex offenders will not be required to post signs reading “No candy or treats in this residence” for Halloween.

District Judge John A. Ross ruled in favor of revising state law, which since 2008 has required sex offenders to post a sign that reads “No candy or treats in this residence.” Ross declared the law unconstitutional and said it was inconsistent First Amendment rights.

Tara Bishop, who runs a Facebook page called Child Predators Exposed with more than 10,000 followers, told Fox News Digital that the ruling favors the rights of predators over those of victims.

“When I see stories about the rights of someone convicted of sexually assaulting someone and trying to use freedom of speech to hide behind their behavior, it disgusts me,” she said. “I think it’s absolutely ridiculous, it really makes me angry and makes me feel like they have more of an inside voice our legal system than their victims.”

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Tara Bishop, who runs a Facebook page called Child Predators Exposed with more than 10,000 followers, told Fox News Digital that the Missouri ruling favors the rights of predators over those of their victims. (Fox News Digital)

“When I see stories about the rights of someone convicted of sexually assaulting someone trying to use freedom of speech to hide behind their behavior, it disgusts me.” – Tara Bishop

Missouri law still requires people to be on the registry on Halloween to stay indoors from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and leave outside lights off.

Despite the provision, Bishop said she is “disappointed” in the ruling and that it is a sign of a broken justice system.

“It’s more than just the (sex predator) sign, it gives these convicted predators more of a voice in our justice system than the victims,” she said.

“I hear time and time again from people who have gone through the grueling process of trying to get their abuser prosecuted, only to get a slap on the wrist or return to society,” she said.

“It’s just so disappointing.”

Children choose from a bowl of candy while trick-or-treating on Halloween. (iStock)

Tips for practicing safelyrick-or-treat:

Bishop offered a few practical tips she uses to create a safe – and fun – evening of trick-or-treating.

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“I take my kids to events like trunk-or-treats, and I stay with them during those events,” she said. “We may go into neighborhoods to trick-or-treat, but usually they will be in neighborhoods that we know and where we know the people.”

Tara Bishop, a 40-year-old mother of four from Missouri who runs a Facebook page called Child Predators Exposed, told Fox News Digital that the ruling favors the rights of predators over those of victims. (Fox News digital)

As a parent, Bishop emphasized staying by the children’s side during the fun evening and paying attention to who they interact with.

“Make sure they don’t wander off and pay attention to who might be having side conversations with them,” she said.

A man waves an American flag as he walks outside the Missouri State Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Jefferson City, Missouri. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)

The bishop said she makes a habit of checking the data regularly National Sex Offender Registry.

“That is constantly being updated,” she said. “Check the area you frequent and pay attention to who is around.”

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In Springfield, Missouri, where Bishop lives, there are 840 registered sex offenders.

“That’s the ratio of residents to sex offenders, 199 to 1,” she said. “And again, those are convicted sex offenders, not those who have never been investigated never charged.

“It’s a little scary, and it’s eye-opening,” Bishop said. “And I don’t want to be cynical. I just want people to pay attention.”

Andrew Bailey, Attorney General of Missouri, during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing in Washington, DC, January 10, 2024. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

After the ruling by Ross, the Republican attorney general of Missouri Andrew Bailey said he plans to appeal the decision.

“I want Missouri to be the safest state in the country for children,” he said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “This also applies to Halloween. We will appeal immediately.”

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“I really hope that the appeal is won and that we can send the message that Missouri will not speak out against sexual assault,” Bishop said.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Eastern District Court in Missouri for comment.