Several states specify that workers who deal directly with children, the elderly, or disabled must pass strict background checks and have completely clean criminal histories. But, in all of these cases, larger employers are required to follow such procedures. Screening, however, is not required for contractors, evidenced by past incidents involving home improvement, moving, and homecare employees. Homeowners requesting such services are left to inquire about screening such individuals.
Calling attention to such an issue concerning contract employees is the recent arrest of a clown on child pornography charges in Fort Smith, Ark. The clown, real name Thomas Morgan who works as Sondance the Clown, is frequently present at local events and fairs, working on his own accord instead of through an agency. Additionally, local 5NewsOnline.com reports, he was part of Christian business affiliations and business networks.
On Wednesday, Morgan was arrested for distributing, possessing, or viewing child pornography after an online investigation traced such activities to his residence. After a search warrant was obtained, investigators found multiple items of digital media – so much that assessment and analysis may take two or three weeks. Morgan is presently being held without bond.
Parents in the Fort Smith area mention that conducting background checks on independent contractors, such as Morgan, who work around or with children is crucial. While Morgan had no criminal history before this point, any independent worker – from a clown to a babysitter – could. The manager of FortSmithMoms.com mentioned: “We really don’t do any type of public recommendations for individuals simply because you can’t provide background checks on individuals when they own their own business.”
Recommendation from local parents or not, screening self-employed and contract workers entering your home is absolutely necessary, and this incident, and others like it, highlights that parents and homeowners can never be too careful.
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Tags: clown child porn, clown child porn fort smith, contractor background checks, independent contractor background checks, self employeed background checks