A newspaper has said that officials knew that a sex offender now charged with killing a California teenager lived close to an elementary school.

The San Diego Union-Tribune has reported on Thursday that John Gardner had been living within half a mile of Walker Elementary School in Mira Mesa for almost two years before he was ordered to move.

It was further said by the newspaper that it reviewed records that show officials only learned Gardner was living at an address that violated his parole conditions after he had been there seven months, that he had been given permission to remain for three months until his lease expired, and that he was then overlooked for another 13 months.

Gardner spent five years in prison after he admitted in 2000 he molested and beat a 13-year-old. He moved to Mira Mesa in October 2005 after his parole officer said his previous quarters were too close to a school.

In 2007, he was ordered to move again.

On suspicion of killing Chelsea King, 17, who had disappeared while jogging in a San Diego park, Gardner was arrested in February. Her body was found in early March. (With Inputs from Agencies)