2nd Case of Mistaken Identity in Bella Vista

In the past two months, two Bella Vista men have been mistakenly identified as level 3 sex offenders. One man says the accusation caused so much pain, he fears for his life. Bella Vista has 5 registered sex offenders. But the actions of one woman and a mistake at the Benton County Sheriff`s Office have pointed fingers at the wrong men. Phone calls and flyers inundated the neighborhoods surrounding Metfield Park. Dick Hutcherson, Resident: "We got a message on our answering machine saying that there was a sex offender living in our area." 63 year old Carolyn Hansen reportedly received a tip that a level 3 sex offender lived on Melinda Lane. She posted signs on the mans door and in the park, that read: "Don`t Play here. Child molester lives here." She had the correct street but the wrong number. Jeff Harris, Resident: "Got the wrong house which is particularly unfortunate for the gentleman and for everybody." The victim has since decided not to press charges. Jim Owen doesn`t feel safe at his Finger Circle home. Back in December, notices circulated around the neigborhood from the Benton County Sheriff`s Office, Bella Vista Division. They showed the picture of a sex offender with Owen`s address. Jim Owen: "I felt that my family was in danger." He also noticed extra traffic stopping and people looking closely at his house. Owen: "We`re in the process right now of moving. It`s not the sole contributing factor but I`m glad we`re moving. I feel safer. And Owen has a message for those who mistakenly accuse others for being sex offenders. Owen: "This is something once its done, it can`t be fixed the damage has been done. I just want to be sure somebody else doesn`t have to go through this." Owen`s mistaken identity was blamed on a clerical error at the sheriff`s office. But he says no new flyers have gone around his neighborhood letting folks know he`s not a sex offender.