Sex Abuse Alleged In Pleasantdale District 107, But Teacher Cleared

BURR RIDGE, IL – An allegation of criminal sexual abuse was reported six years ago at Pleasantdale School District 107, a local police investigation indicates.

The allegation was brought up again last year. Willow Springs police investigated and cleared the teacher in the matter, according to a police report.

The report said an adult contended she had made the same report to the school years earlier, but was never contacted again, the report said. She said she was told the school would inform Willow Springs police, according to the report.

Under state law, all school employees are considered "mandated reporters." That means they must report allegations of criminal sexual abuse to the Department of Children and Family Services' child abuse hotline.

In an email to Patch last week, Dave Palzet, superintendent of Pleasantdale School District 107, said the district received the report in April 2019 about an incident that was said to have happened the previous school year.

"We responded appropriately and conducted an investigation based on the information available at that time," he said.

In 2024, Palzet said, the district received a new report related to the same incident.

"This time, different details were shared, which spurred appropriately stronger and more urgent action from the school district, including involving law enforcement and DCFS to conduct their own investigations," Palzet said. "After completing their investigations, those agencies chose not to take further action."

The 48-page police report is largely redacted. The district includes parts of Burr Ridge and Willow Springs.