Weymouth Residents Express Worries About Child Rapist's Release

WEYMOUTH, MA — A convicted child rapist who now resides in Weymouth has parents in the area on edge.

Last week, the Weymouth Police Department notified residents that Richard Gardner, a Level 3 sex offender, moved into his parents home on Chandler Street near the Weymouth-Braintree town line.

In 1989, Gardner was convicted of rape of a child with force, indecent assault and battery on a child 14 or younger, and rape and abuse of a child. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. In Rhode Island, he was sentenced to 190 years in prison for indecent assault and battery on a child 14 or younger again, but received a shorter sentence in 1993 upon appeal.

Neighbors told WHDH that they saw Gardner peering over a fence.

Gardner is free on probation until 2043. If he violates the terms of the probation, he could end up behind bars again.

Image via Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry