A convicted sex offender in Utah was arrested Saturday night after he allegedly opened the door for trick-or-treaters while naked and invited them into his home.
Several children who were trick-or-treating just before 7 p.m. stopped at Steven Kelley Little's home. When he answered the door, he was allegedly naked and "beckoning children inside," Provo police master officer Austin Williams told KSL-TV, a local station.
The children told their parents, who were across the street at the time, about the incident. A father went and knocked on the door, which was opened by Little, who was still naked, KSL reported.
The father told him to turn the lights off in his home and not to open the door for any more trick-or-treaters, according to the TV station. He then called the police.
In total, at least five children older than 14 years old and three children younger than 14 saw him naked, the station reported.
When Little was questioned about why he opened the door while naked, he said he just got out of the shower, according to KSL.
He said he asked the children to come inside his home because that's where the candy was.
A child allegedly took a video of Little answering the door and shared it with investigators. The arresting officer noted that Little has previously proven to be a danger to children due to a previous arrest, urging a judge to increase his bail, KSL reported.
Little had previously pleaded guilty to charges of lewdness involving a child, KSL reported. He was arrested in September 2018 after allegedly watching a 10-year-old in the bathroom of a recreation center while making "sexually suggestive sounds," the station reported.
Many police departments have recommended that parents check the sex offender database before bringing their kids trick-or-treating to best avoid risk for their children. Some people have also advocated for "no trick or treat at this address" signs to help parents identify the homes—though others have raised concerns about this tactic.
There are several ways to ensure children safely enjoy trick-or-treating, according to the National Safety Council. It urges parents to accompany young children and advises against entering a home or car for a treat. Children should also only travel in familiar, well-lit areas and stay with their friends, according to the NSC.
Newsweek reached out to the Provo Police Department for comment Sunday afternoon but had not heard back by publication. This story will be updated with any comment.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Andrew Stanton is a Newsweek weekend reporter based in Maine. His role is reporting on U.S. politics and social issues. ... Read more
