Painesville, OH – On June 22, 2026, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office announced that Anthony Tartt, a Tier III sex offender convicted in Cuyahoga County for sexual offenses involving minors, will not face criminal charges related to his ownership and involvement with Playtime at Adventure Acres, an indoor playground he operated. The decision was made due to legal loopholes allowing such offenders to own businesses catering to children without violating state laws or probation conditions.
Sarah Blair, a Painesville resident who previously worked at the business, reported that Tartt occasionally visited the facility for coffee and maintenance tasks and attended events like father-daughter dances. Photos from these activities show Tartt interacting closely with young girls, raising significant concerns among local parents about child safety measures in place.
Legal experts confirm that Ohio state law does not explicitly prohibit registered sex offenders from owning or spending time at businesses catering to children unless they are employed there directly. Caitlyn Benzo of the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence explained that while employment restrictions exist for certain positions, general public activities and visits to places where children congregate remain unregulated by statute.
In response to these legal gaps, Cuyahoga County adopted additional rules last November prohibiting Tier III sex offenders from visiting such venues. However, Tartt was not informed of this rule until his probation hearing in May 2026 when the playground had already closed down due to public outcry and awareness spread through social media.
Community members like Blair express deep frustration over these legal shortcomings: "Our system has failed us," she stated. "How are we supposed to protect kids if you're allowing predators to own businesses that have anything to do with children?"
Tartt’s case highlights the need for more stringent regulations and enforcement mechanisms at both state and local levels to ensure child safety in public spaces, particularly those owned by individuals with a history of sexual offenses against minors.