Parolee Arrested after Trespassing at Six Area Schools

Santa Cruz County Sheriff's deputies arrested a man on Thursday who is believed to have made a habit of loitering at schools, including Scotts Valley's Vine Hill Elementary, over the past week.

Parolee Kelly Lynn Nielsen, 47, of Santa Cruz was contacted by deputies shortly after 11 a.m. after he was found walking on the Shoreline Middle School Campus in Live Oak. 

According to the sheriff's office, Nielsen, who was just released from prison on April 30, is also suspected of trespassing at Santa Cruz's Gault School, Costanoa School, De LaVeaga Elementary School and Vine Hill Elementary. He was also seen loitering near Del Mar Elementary School in Live Oak. On at least one occassion, a witness reported him looking into classroom windows. 

"It does not appear that Nielsen made contact with any students or made any overt acts toward abducting any children," Sgt. Steve Carney said in a prepared statement. "When confronted at the various schools, Nielsen would claim to be registering his daughter for enrollment and then leave while the staff was attempting to verify his story."

On the day of his arrest, Nielsen was contacted by Vine Hill school staff earlier in the day after he was spotted on the school's campus. Nielsen left the campus prior to the arrival of the Scotts Valley Police Department. SVPD officers were in the process of notifying the general public when Nielsen was arrested in Live Oak. Scotts Valley School officials had notified parents of the suspicious circumstances.

It is not known if he visited other schools since his release 10 days ago, or how he traveled between schools, but the sheriff's office said he was once seen riding a bike.

Anybody with additional information on Nielsen's conduct should contact Sheriff’s Dispatch at 831-471-1121.