We had a peeping tom last night....

PascosGirl wrote: Have you ever been standing somewhere and feel as if someone is watching you? Well that happened to me last night. I was in the kitchen and my blinds were open (my back door is a french door and made partly of glass) and I turned around to see a man watching me load the dishwasher with my nightgown on. I totally freaked out. I know some of you don't believe in firearms, but since my husband is out of the country a lot, he likes for me to keep mine here. I grabbed the key and went into my closet for the gun. I had to unlock the child safety lock and then go to another box and unlock it for my clip. (We do that for the safety of our kids). I did this the whole time while on the phone with 911. I grabbed both of my kids and went into my room and waited for the police to arrive. When they got to my house, they had already found the guy and had him in the car. I had to go out and identify him. It was pretty freaky all the way around. Especially since we live in a gated community. He had to have climbed the fence or something. The sgt. from the station called me this morning and told me that the guy was a sexual predator that had just been released four months earlier. They are searching the guy's house today. I hope they don't find someone in there.

Well, I was totally freaked out by the whole thing and ended up having my little brother (he's 20) come and stay with us last night.

CCTandME replied: Holy Crap! I can't believe that. I would have totally freaked. Glad all ended "well". Psycho!

JAYMESMOM replied: OMG !! I am scared for you and it is now the next day. You did the right thing by calling the police right away. I would probably have my brother stay for a couple of days even though they caught the guy. I believe in giving people second chances but when things like this happen it makes you want to lock them up for life. I am relieved to know that you weren't harmed at all. As for the gun - i understand I am to afraid to use them - my husband would like me to keep one in the house (locked of course). Makes me possibly want to take lessons.

kimberley replied: OMG! how scary! kudos to you for staying calm and acting fast . i prolly would have panicked. glad your bro is coming to stay for a while.

PascosGirl replied:
Yeah, me too. It could have been a lot worse. This may be crazy but the mom in me totally jumped into high gear to protect my babies. I was temporarily out of my mind because I was ready to kill that guy. That kind of freaked me out, I have never wanted to actually kill someone before. If he would have came in my house, I just know that I would have.

On one hand, I like having my handgun and on the other, it scares me to think that I have the power to kill someone. However, if it came to that man and my children, it would have to be him.

Sorry to go on and on about it. I am going to see a psychologist today just to make sure I am not scarred.

Mommy2BAK replied: Woah! That is awful, but you handled it great! Did you recognize the guy or what?

~KARA~ replied: Wow that would be scary! glad they got him!!

PascosGirl replied:
No, he was younger though. Like in his early 30's. I have the link to his sexual offender page.

iluvmysweetiepies replied: Yikes!! That's so scary!! I agree, you handled it great! Thankgoodness no one got hurt.

Kaitlin'smom replied: OMG I would have been so totaly freeked out after all said and done. You handled it so well, I hope I would have done as good as you.

kit_kats_mom replied: thats really scary!
glad it turned out ok

CCTandME replied: Don't be sorry about going on and on. This is definitely something you need to talk about. Sucks that now you will be looking over your shoulder for awhile. How long as he been out? Don't want to scare you more, but wonder if he was stalking you. Creep!! Did they keep him? Was he on any parole violation?

GavinsMommy replied: SCARY!!! I'm glad that it didn't turn into anything other than what it turned out to be! Glad you had your gun too. It is situations like that where I firmly believe guns are appropriate. What are you going to do? Try to beat a powerful man to death with your hands? Stab him only to get overpowered? I would have done the same thing you did and just waited for him to even TRY to get in the house and he would not be on this earth anymore. Sorry, I'm a scared, paranoid freak like that.

Yes...I would have totally shot him with my gun...glad he wasn't trying to get into my house:)

I am glad you are okay!

mammag replied: Great Job on acting fast! You did exactly what I would have done. I don't think it's scarey that I would be willing to take his life because you know there are people out there who would hesitate to take yours, kwim?

My sister had a peeping tom once and they didn't handle it right at all. She told her dh and he got a bat (they do have a gun in the house..) and went outside and yelled at the guy. They didn't call 911... I don't get that. Plus he could have had a gun and shot her husband. The best thing to do is get on the phone while getting the gun and gather up the kids and stay put. It's good to call 911 because then they know, in case you do shoot and kill, that he was an intruder and you are in fear of your life. My dh and I have conversations frequently about what we would do, who would do what.

Even for those who don't believe in having guns, this serves as a reminder that you need to come up with some kind of plan and let the kids know what to do if someone is breaking into the house. This could be part of your saftey reminders.

JAYMESMOM replied: I'm not sure how old your children are but if they were awake be prepared for some sleepless nights. And yes this is a situation where it is okay for them to cuddle with mommy at night but just for a few nights.

amymom replied: OMG! Thank God everything is ok. You did a great job. I do not know if I would have had as much sense of mind to handle it as well, but hope I would have.

mom21kid2dogs replied: So glad they got the guy so quickly & that you and the kids are OK.

My2Beauties replied: OMG you poor thing - I would have been peeing on myself! I guess if put in that situation though one never knows what lengths they'll go to to protect their children!! Brian and I have discussed buying a handgun for thouse, of course everyhting would be locked up in a safe and up high in a closet and my children wouldn't even know we had it neither! I hate guns I really do, but it's this for this particular scenario that I want to learn to shoot one! I am so sorry you had to deal with that!

gr33n3y3z replied: glad everything turned out good

mammag replied:

LeAnn, I just wanted to say that if you ever do decide to get a gun. I wouldn't recommend not telling the kids. Only because if they happen upon it at any time they will not know the proper rules of safety and may think it is a toy. If you decide to get one I would recommend looking into one of these programs in your area....

http://www.nrahq.org/safety/eddie/

chloe&tysmommy replied: Wow that is really scary!!!! I don't know what I would have done, great job on calling the cops right a way!

What a sicko...I think they should lock him up for good now sheesh

Glad you and your babies are safe!!!

PascosGirl replied: Thanks! He is out on bail as of today. I went to the police station to talk to the detective and found out they released the freak. However, because I made a HUGE fuss about it, they have a deputy stationed in front of my house tonight and for a few more days. Can you believe this man is out of jail?? I can't. I was mad.

A&A'smommy replied: OMG OMG I would have FREAKED!!!! (((((HUGS)))) I'm so glad you are okay!!

I can't believe they let that man out!

PascosGirl replied:
I am going to the judge tomorrow. They are certainly going to hear what I have to say.

THanks for the hugs. I needed one.

Emeraldsmom replied: Oh no how scary. I could only imagine how scared you were. I am glad that they caught the guy.

JAYMESMOM replied: That is ridiculous that they let him out on bail! I would definitely be throwing a hissy fit for sure. Isn't he like breaking his probation or something. He should not be allowed back out.

Don't back down!!!

amymom replied:

Hi, Not telling the kids is totally the wrong approach according to all the experts. My SIL is a Federal Special Agent (she carries a gun!!). Part of her training was to learn how to deal with her firearms around children. She asked me if she could show my kids and teach them about it. Basicly, what she did was showed them all the parts, allowed them to touch it, told them how it would be locked up or on her person when they were around her. She also told them to never touch it if they came upon it. And she continued with what to do if they were at a friends house and a gun was brought out. This gave both my children (who at the time were 10 and 4) an outlet for all their questions and curiosity. It really was the best thing. Please train your children, don't hide these types of things from them.

PascosGirl replied:
My 5 yo knows all about guns. He just doesn't know how to access them. He doesn't try either. He knows what will happen if you shoot one because he hunts with my dad.

PascosGirl replied:
Oh, don't worry. I took my mad butt to the DA's office today and threw the biggest fit. He said that they issued another warrant for the guy because he didn't show up to his probation meeting so he violated (AGAIN). I told him that if this guy was let out on bail again, I was calling my attorney and suing the county. I made it clear that I was not going to stand back and let this happen and I thought the county had already done more to protect him than me. I think he got the picture.

moped replied: OMG - that is terrible - gosh you must have been so sick about it!!!!!!!! I am sorry to hear this!

PascosGirl replied:
I am not sick about it, really. More mad than anything.

CCTandME replied:
I hope they did. Did you get a copy of his record? To see EXACTLY what this guy is all about? Just in case they don't take care of him and he comes back around. Wait, then he meets your gun

My2Beauties replied:
Thanks I didn't think of that - glad you advised me of this! I have no clue when it comes to guns!

PascosGirl replied:
Oh, this guy has a long rap sheet. He raped two girls under the age of 12, he raped a girl over the age of 16 but under 18. This guy shouldn't even be out of jail in the first place. Our justice system needs some serious reform.

CCTandME replied:
and he is allowed FREEDOM? That's a friggin joke. That pisses me off so bad. He obviously hasn't been rehabilitated. GRRRRRR!!!!

PascosGirl replied:
My opinion is most of these people can't be rehabiltated because it is a sickness and I honestly believe they can't help it. Not saying that makes it right, just making a point.

He is back in jail as of last night. He violated probation again and he was refused bail.

mammag replied: Do you know what he did this time? I agree, I don't think they can be rehabilitated either.

CCTandME replied: Oh, I don't think they can be rehabilitated either. I just meant that he has a rap sheet, he's at your house which was a parole violation and they still let him go.
Glad to hear he is back in.

jcc64 replied: Pretty scary stuff. Glad he's back where he belongs.

JAYMESMOM replied: I glad to hear he is back in jail without bond but that is scary that he was even let out in the first place. I hope you can feel a little safer now that he is locked up. How are the kids handling all of this?