Bear Paddle Swim Instructor Convicted Of Inappropriate Touching

LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL — A 24-year-old Cary man has been found guilty of inappropriately touching a teenage co-worker at Bear Paddle Swim School.

Daniel Flores was convicted on charges of aggravated battery, unlawful restraint and battery during a bench trial in McHenry County, according to a news release from the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office.

Flores was charged in October 2021 after the Lake in the Hills Police Department received a call from the Bear Paddle Swim School regarding an employee, who was identified as Flores. Bear Paddle employees told police Flores had been inappropriately touching another employee.

Police learned the girl had been assigned to shadow Flores as part of her training to become a swim instructor, according to the news release. While shadowing Flores, he touched her multiple times in the pool and in the men’s and women’s bathrooms.

Two separate employees observed the interactions between Flores and the girl, with one employee observing the touching occur in the bathroom, prosecutors said.