Legal Question in Civil Litigation in North Carolina

It sounds like a scam to me. (Scammers often send large checks that turn out not to be good, but before the check is returned by the bank they persuade the victim to withdraw some of the money and send it to them.) You haven't committed a federal crime as far as I can see, so the FBI won't care. And while I'm no expert on North Carolina law, I very much doubt you committed a state-law crime either.

If I'm right about what's happening, then this man is the one who is trying to commit a crime. It's not clear from what you wrote whether the crime would be state and/or federal. But you should contact your local police and/or the FBI right away and let them know what's happening. They may want to investigate. Even if they don't, they will maintain a record of your call and that could be useful later.

Even if the man really was trying to hire you to watch over his kids, it's not clear that you and he formed a contract. And even if you did, you had the right to breach it. You might have to reimburse him for any losses your breach caused him, but I see no reason to think there were any -- even in the unlikely event that he is legit.

Your best bet is to save all of the emails you and he exchanged, as well as a copy of your ad. If any of your discussions were by phone or face-to-face, you should send him an email setting forth what the two of you said. Copy the check (front and back) and return the original to him by certified mail, along with a letter that says you're returning it uncashed. Keep a copy of the letter too.

Good luck.

This is not legitimate. I would contact the police. I would return the check if the police tell you to do so but I would not have any further contact with this person.