Convicted child sex offender accused of volunteering at Slinger haunted house

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- A 36-year-old West Bend man who is a convicted child sex offender is accused of volunteering at a haunted house in Slinger. Andy Hawthorne is now charged with two counts of child sex offender working with children and one count of sex offender registry violation.

Andy Hawthorne

According to the criminal complaint, Hawthorne has been volunteering at the Slinger haunted house also known as the Hartford Jaycees Dwelling of Despair since October 3rd. But his conviction as a child sex offender from 2002 required him not to "interact primarily or directly with children of 16 years of age or younger."

The complaint indicates on Oct. 25th, a citizen witness attended the haunted house with his wife and children. They apparently selected the earlier time period in the day because "it was advertised to be a less scary experience geared towards children."

After going through the haunted house, the citizen witness and his family entered an outdoor maze section. The complaint says that "section contained several employees dressed as various monsters." One of those monsters "jumped out from behind a wall" and scared the children of the citizen witness. When the person removed his mask, the citizen witness "clearly recognized him from past police contacts" -- it was Hawthorne.

"I mean it could happen anywhere, but at a haunted house? Next to little kids that are just enjoying the night? That's something to worry about," said Collin Dibley, who recently visited the haunted house.

The complaint indicates Hawthorne had volunteered at the haunted house eight times including the evening of Oct. 25th. But he apparently "did not report any employment or volunteer work as is required" by state law.

"He clarified that, yes, he did volunteer there, but took the approach that he didn't know he couldn't work with children," said Slinger Police Chief Dean Schmidt.

Hawthorne told police he worked at the haunted house to complete 25 hours of community service.

"Without this happening, or that officer seeing him, he probably would still be volunteering," said Chief Schmidt.

Police say the Hartford Jaycees admit they should have been more thorough and were very upfront, providing all the information they had about Hawthorne. FOX6 News left multiple messages for the Jaycees, but they have not responded.

If convicted of the most serious charges, Hawthorne faces up to 12-and-a-half years in prison and $25,000 in fines.