Parents and community members in the Plainfield–Marshfield area are raising urgent concerns about a registered sex offender’s repeated presence on local school property, prompting the circulation of a petition to Vermont lawmakers, according to a news story reported by the December 10 Hardwick Gazette.

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The petition was drafted by community advocate Laura Dailey, who argues that Vermont’s current laws leave students vulnerable. The document states that a convicted offender — formerly employed as a school bus driver — has been permitted on school grounds because he is picking up his girlfriend’s child. According to the petition, this access has resulted in several of his past victims, who attend the same school, unexpectedly encountering him on campus.

“These encounters have retraumatized individuals already deeply harmed by his actions,” the petition says, adding that assurances from the court and the man’s probation officer that he has “changed” do little to ease the fears of affected families.

The offender, Douglas Hersey of Plainfield, was convicted in 2020 of sexually assaulting a minor under 16 and of human trafficking. WCAX has reported that Hersey met a 15-year-old girl through a Craigslist advertisement in 2018 and met her repeatedly for sexual acts. Investigators said he continued manipulating the teen after she turned 16, with plans to recruit her as an escort for paid sexual encounters.

Parents say the situation highlights loopholes in state policy regarding where registered sex offenders may legally go when connected to a student through a parent or guardian. They are urging lawmakers to tighten those rules to better safeguard students, including survivors who remain enrolled in the school district.

The petition continues to gather signatures. School officials and state agencies have not yet announced whether any review of related policies is underway. The petition will be sent to legislators later this month.