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D.A.’s Office: Sex offender and former Costa Mesa resident has been released from mental hospital

by in News

The District Attorney’s Office confirmed Wednesday the release of a sex offender and former Costa Mesa resident after being held at mental health hospitals for more than two decades.

Cary Smith, 59, an admitted pedophile, was held against his will at Coalinga State Hospital, and before that, Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino County since 1999 after his then-wife gave authorities a letter Smith wrote about his urge to kidnap and molest a 7-year-old boy in his Costa Mesa neighborhood.

His location Wednesday was not immediately clear to officials.

Though Costa Mesa had been Smith’s last city of residence, Costa Mesa police said in a statement that he no longer has ties with the city and is not currently located there.

News of Smith’s release came a day after Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer and Supervisor Michelle Steel wrote a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom, urging him to block the release.

“We are concerned that Mr. Smith poses a threat to our community and we ask for your assistance in re-assessing his mental health hold and in reviewing his requirement to register as a sex offender,” Spitzer and Steel wrote.

As of Wednesday evening, county officials have not received a response from the governor’s office, said Kimberly Edds, spokeswoman for the District Attorney’s office.