MINGO JUNCTION, OH -- Should a crime dictate where a person lives? Some say it should when it comes to those who sexually abuse children.

Ronnie Lash, is now living in fear in their once quiet neighborhood.

"Hell isn't the word," she said.

Seven months ago, a court-labeled sexual predator moved in right next door to her Lincoln Street home. Lash -- the parent of two young girls -- says she doesn't trust the sex offender next door. Lash's home is less than one- thousand feet from Indian Creek Middle School. Because sex predator Robert Boyce lives so close to the school, the sheriff's department told all those who live in the area about his arrival to the neighborhood. But now, if a law introduced into the Ohio legislature passes, Boyce would never be allowed to move into this apartment.

"I wish it were in the books years ago, because i wouldn't have to deal with this today," Lash said.

The law would make it a violation of the sex offender registry to live within 1,000 feet of a school. But Boyce says he's no predator.

"That's what they call me," he said. "But am I? No."

Boyce admits to spending three years behind bars for corruption of a minor.

"I had sex with an underage girl," he tells NEWS 9. The girl was 14-years-old. But he says he's no danger to the school children. And he believes he has the right to live near a school. But Lash says that doesn't help her sleep at night.

The law was introduced in the house this week but no action has been taken on it yet.

Ashlea Kosikowski, NEWS 9