A registered sex offender suspected of soliciting babysitting jobs through flyers and classified advertisements in the Helena area was arrested Wednesday for allegedly violating the terms of his sex-offender therapy.

Kenneth Lee Hall is being held at the Lewis and Clark County Jail on the probation violation. While the courts decide how to respond to the alleged violation, Det. Bryan Fischer is attempting to find out whether any area parents responded to Hall's offers to care for children overnight at his home.

"We don't know of any so far," Fischer said. "But if anybody has had him babysitting, we need to be notified."

Hall, 41, was convicted in May 1999 of sexual assault out of Flathead County.

According to Fischer, police were alerted to a potential problem with Hall Wednesday afternoon when he dropped a flyer at a local business.

The merchant who picked up the piece of paper became suspicious when he read the flyer in which Hall offered to provide overnight babysitting for children ages 2-4.

However, the manager became particularly concerned when he realized the flyer also suggested that Hall would like to be a "big brother" for a handicapped girl between the ages of two and four, in addition to offering a place to stay for a homeless girl up to the age of eight.

Fischer said the business manager checked Hall's name on the Internet, found his photograph and criminal history on a sex offender Web site and immediately called 911.

Fischer arrested Hall soon later.

During his investigation, Fischer discovered that, in addition to the flyers, Hall placed a classified advertisement in the Adit in late March in which he offered to babysit young children.

Fischer reminds parents to investigate prospective caregivers before entrusting them with their children.

To contact Fischer regarding this case, call 447-8475.