Officials say sex offender spotted near playground

GASTONIA, N.C. — Robbie Maney tried to tell a judge Tuesday why he was spotted in areas off limits to registered sex offenders.

"I am paranoid schizophrenic. I was diagnosed with it last year," Maney said. "I was having a flashback.".

A probation officer said Maney was spotted Monday walking along the fence of the playground at First Wesleyan Daycare in Gastonia while young children played nearby.

Maney served two years in prison after pleading guilty to taking indecent liberties with a minor.

According to state law, he cannot go onto the grounds of an area designed for children.

The officer who recognized Maney said he watched him walk from the daycare to Lineberger Park where Gabriel Currence takes his children to play.

"This is the community I basically stay in," Currence said.

Channel 9 told Currence how a probation officer saw Maney come to the bathroom here while children played nearby.

"It definitely got me staying close to them," the father said. "I don't want nobody running around out here knowing my children playing."

Officers arrested Maney and charged him with being a sex offender in a place meant for children. It is a felony punishable by up to three years in prison.

WSOC