The Children

by William Perkins

Cary Jay Smith has been confined to a California psychiatric prison for criminals since 1999. Authorities have letters the convicted sex offender has written detailing his ultra-violent fantasies of raping and killing young boys. That’s not all he wants to do to them; it’s just as much as can be described in a family publication like The Baptist Record.

“This sexual predator has repeatedly testified under oath that he will reoffend if he is released, and we should believe him,” said Conta Mesa-based district attorney Todd Spitzer. He added that Smith has said that he prefers to be called “Mr. RTK,” for Rape, Torture, Kill.

He has told investigators he killed three boys and molested over 200, but those numbers cannot be verified. Even his own psychiatrists agree that he should never be released.

The State of California released him July 14.

A Montana man, who has not been named to protect the victim, was recently convicted of repeatedly committing incest against his 12-year-old daughter. State law mandates a 25-year sentence for that awful crime. Instead, State District Judge John McKeon ignored the law and prosecutors’ pleas, and sentenced the criminal to 60 days in jail.

Back in California, thousands of prisoners were released from state custody before serving out their sentences, purportedly to help control the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus in the prison system. That might be considered a noble action, except for the sexual criminals who reoffended within days.

These stories could go on and on – with some occurring not far from our back doors. The point: Mississippi Baptist churches have to be on constant lookout for people like these criminals. Mississippi Baptist churches must be prepared. These criminals are not run-of-the-mill child molesters, if there is such a thing. They’re hardened killers (or want to be), and they don’t stop at basic sex crimes.

Don’t think it can’t happen in your church?

A Mississippi Baptist preschool minister tells the story of the six-week church member who came to her office to announce that the Lord had called him to work with preschoolers.

“Wonderful,” the preschool minister said as she slid a form across the desk. “What’s this?” the man asked. “You have to give written permission for a criminal background check,” she replied.

The man scanned the form, handed it back to the minister, and nervously said,” You know what? I think I need to pray a little more about this.”

The man was never again seen at that church. He is no doubt today searching for a church where he can practice his treachery without a background check and with virtually no oversight.

We know how Jesus Christ feels about children (Matt. 19:13-15; Luke 17:2), which means we know how our Heavenly Father feels about children. That should be more than enough to compel each of us to take great care for the safety of the children who trust us with their innocence every time they are in our churches.

Reread the first six paragraphs and just think for a second about these criminals making their way unfettered into your church. If that’s not enough to drive you to your knees before Almighty God, what will?