Soliciting children for sex is a scary crime, but also a very real one. Who are the people behind these crimes, and what drives someone to hurt a child?

"The girl gave me her fake ID and stuff like that. It went on for three years I suppose."

This registered sex offender now lives in Belpre with a family, a job and his face on the Washington County offender list.

It's all because the 47-year old, who agreed to talk with us if we concealed his identity, was convicted of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor four years ago.

"I felt sorry about it. I got four kids of my own."

The sex offender website lists the convicted criminals, their crime and whether or not children were victims. However, reading the facts and looking at the pictures don't tell the whole story.

Now recent arrests in the valley have one wondering what kind of person targets a child?

Dr. Harry Coffey with Psychotherapy Partners says, "Sex offenders are self-centered. What they want at that moment is what they'll get."

Dr. Coffey has evaluated sex offenders for court cases. He says there is no clear reason why some adults are attracted to children, but he does have a theory.

"I suspect there is a genetic contribution."

Coffey also says sex addiction and an abusive past could play a role.

As for the registered offender in Belpre, he says he's not like some the predators out there.

"Some of these guys, they go out looking for it, like rape and stuff. I got two girls myself."

Dr. Coffey says psychopathic behavior may also play a role in the mind of a sex predator.

Really, Coffey pointed to a lack of research in the field and says he can't for sure point to any one factor that would lead a person down a predator path.