oseph Tellier, the convicted sex offender whose efforts to find a place to live led to the adoption of ordinances in a handful of York County towns, has died at age 60.

The Maine Department of Corrections said Tuesday it was notified this week of Tellier's death. Tellier, who had been living in Parsonsfield, apparently died last week but the department had no information regarding the circumstances, Associate Commissioner Harry Doughty said.

Tellier was released from prison in 2004 after serving 15 years for kidnapping, beating and molesting a 10-year-old girl who was riding her bicycle in Saco.

His efforts to find housing prompted several towns to adopt ordinances limiting where convicted sex offenders were permitted to live.

Tellier stood trial in March on a charge of failing to register with the state after a change of address, but a jury was unable to reach a verdict and the judge declared a mistrial.