November 20, 2009

Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104

Sex Offender Let In School

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The McCook County Sheriff's Office is investigating why 41-year-old Darin Nugteren, a convicted sex offender, was let inside Canistota Public School.

By Drew Sandholm

Story Created: Feb 17, 2009 at 11:40 PM CST

Story Updated: Feb 17, 2009 at 11:40 PM CST

A convicted sex offender was let into Canistota Public School.

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Right now, McCook County Sheriff Mark Norris is investigating and a rural Canistota mom wants to know why it happened in the first place.

According to South Dakota's Sex Offender Registry, 41-year-old Darin Nugteren was convicted of sexual contact three months ago. His conviction involved a 15-year-old girl.

Canistota superintendent Chad Janzen tells Action News that Nugteren has a son attending Canistota. The superintendent says Nugteren's son was sick Monday. So after school was let out, Nugteren went through a backdoor and picked up his son's books inside a locker. Shortly thereafter, Janzen says he was notified by an administrator that Nugteren was in the building.

Janzen says Nugteren had a legal right to be there and that his district takes the safety of their students seriously. But Sheriff Norris tells Action News that he's taking a look at this incident to make sure everything is legal.

McCook County State's Attorney Roger Gerlach was out of the office and unavailable for comment.

Action News did reach South Dakota Attorney General Larry long, who said in general, judges treat sex offenders on a case by case basis. He said the law does leave room for certain exemptions, which could enable a sex offender to enter a school.

Read South Dakota Codified Laws on Sex Offender Registery here. Check South Dakota's Sex Offender Registry here.

Do you have a serious issue you'd like investigated?
Contact KSFY Action News by phone at (605) 336-9999 or send us an e-mail.

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Thursday, Feb 19 at 1:38 PM Anonymous wrote ...

to charlesmcgonagle@comcast.net: i know a few guys that were in that situation as well and i think it is sad, there are to many young girls out there dressing down at a young age to make themselves look older and i think it is sick and a lot of the parents fault...stay strong and i hope things work out for you!

Thursday, Feb 19 at 9:27 AM Amber wrote ...

He knew he was a sex offender and shouldn't be at the school. He should have handled this differently, and he did this to himself. Bottom line.

Thursday, Feb 19 at 9:02 AM Anonymous wrote ...

ZWoman: I can't believe you just quoted a sex offender! Not every sex offender is the same. I know plenty and they are all different! If this happned to your family, would you want it all over the news? People need to use their brains before going right to the media. There are alot more serious events to report on then this one family. Report on something such as family's abusing/neglecting their children if you want to report on a family's life!

Thursday, Feb 19 at 8:57 AM charlesmcgonagle@comcast.net wrote ...

Not all sex offenders are a danger to anyone. 24 years ago I met a girl at a party and we ended up in my care kissing and such, no sex. I was twenty then. She turned out to be underage and I did not know that. I never went to prison. 24 years later I am still paying for this. I am on the public internet as a threat to kids, on and on it goes. Funny that the news will put a story like this in with no problem. Stories like mine can't get into the media, I have tried. What does that tell you?

Thursday, Feb 19 at 8:29 AM Give me a break again wrote ...

The mother who called this in does not even take care of her own children and is very news happy. She also called Kdlt about some voting issue. Crazy lady does not even know the correct steps to take. This guy is not a threat to society or children - you do not know what happended!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, Feb 18 at 10:18 PM albeeed wrote ...

All of you small minded people, who continue to prosecute and punish SOs, especially Zwoman, who is connected with PJ, just grow up. Many of the people on the SO registry never touched anyone. The SO laws are a JOKE! They were originaaly intended to notify the people of the most heinous offenders, however pandering politicians in concert with an amoral media have initiated a pogrom. I understand how 6,000,000 million Jews were exterminated as the "final solution".

Wednesday, Feb 18 at 9:48 PM Zwoman wrote ...

One assault against a child and they need to be locked up forever. Joseph Duncan who went on to kidnap Dylan and Shasta Groene and ultimately murdered Dylan after killing their mother, brother and family friend had this to say about his sex offender status: "The truth is I am not an exception, I am the rule! Most sex offenders are just like me." Why give them another chance to victimize a child again? Or murder her mother for trying to protect her? We must protect our citizens.

Wednesday, Feb 18 at 8:26 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Seriously?! We are talking about an extremely small town. Parents go in and out of the school all the time for all sorts of reasons including to pick up their child's homework whether it was forgotten or because the child was out sick. Sounds to me like the local busy body had nothing better to do than create some extra drama! Get a life! How can I say that??? I grew up there! I can even pronounce the victim's last name appropriately. Nice research KSFY!!!

Wednesday, Feb 18 at 6:51 PM J.G. wrote ...

Did Ksfy ever think of investagting a story before they reported it. You end up hurting innocent people, like little kids. You did not help anyone. Everyone knows who did the calling maybe she have should be investagated herself

Wednesday, Feb 18 at 6:20 PM RICK wrote ...

the mans done his time. now for all you self righteous people , leave him alone.. someday you may be wearing his shoes.people should check with their local authourities before the tv.. get a life.

Wednesday, Feb 18 at 2:27 PM Anonymous wrote ...

To Give me a Break, apparently you know the person of which this story is about. Change the situation, if it was someone you didnt know and you found out that said person entered a school where your child attended, would you feel differently? Maybe you should Grow UP, as you so eloquently put it and realize that you cant alway trust people, even if you "know" them. To the mother who called, I would have done the same thing.

Wednesday, Feb 18 at 1:30 PM Anonymous wrote ...

He is a nice guy and if you knew the situation you would understand that he is not a danger to children. Shame (and pathetic) on the person who called this into the news.

Wednesday, Feb 18 at 10:54 AM Christine wrote ...

This guy should have gone through the FRONT doors...not the back. And he should have had to check in with the office...Darn small town schools.

Wednesday, Feb 18 at 10:44 AM Heather wrote ...

This guy had every right to go and pick up his son's school work. They should have had another adult with him at all times in the school or made him wait in the office with the principal, secretary or teacher while another teacher or whoever went and got the books, but the guy had every right to go there for his son.

Wednesday, Feb 18 at 10:12 AM Jax wrote ...

Why is this pervert not behind bars?

Wednesday, Feb 18 at 9:20 AM Give me a Break wrote ...

This is really a great guy who is not really a harm to children - you do not know his real story. Shame on you to the mom for calling the news. Grow UP

Wednesday, Feb 18 at 9:09 AM Amber wrote ...

Im thinking if the sick child is well enough to do homework he could have walked inside and got his own books and his dad could have stayed in the car

Wednesday, Feb 18 at 8:24 AM JB wrote ...

He should NOT have been let in the school. What he did involved a 15 year old girl. The boy could have made up his work the following day or a friend could have brought him his homework. Why enable a man capable of abusing a 15 year old in a school with kids that age all over....after school or at all...kids are always at the school...whether it be for sports or afternoon clubs. NOT IMPRESSED!

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