Teacher Accused Of Sexual Abuse Could Return To Classroom: D161

FLOSSMOOR, IL — A Flossmoor District 161 teacher who has been on paid administrative leave amid claims of sexual abuse by a former student could return to the classroom, district officials said in a letter Tuesday.

More than a year after the Cook County State's Attorney decided not to pursue criminal charges, District officials said Tuesday that its own internal investigation had determined the complaint unfounded.

A former student who is now 19 years old accused her then-teacher at Western Avenue Elementary School of incidents of sexual assault alleged to have occurred over a four-year span more than 10 years ago. The student came forward with the allegations in September 2021, and the teacher was placed on leave in October.

With the investigation and appeal process now complete, officials and the faculty member will mull next steps, including a possible return to teaching within the district, said Superintendent Dr. Dana Smith in the letter to families.

"District 161 takes all reports of abuse and misconduct seriously, and appreciates the concern this matter has created in our school community," Smith wrote in the letter.

In September 2022 after months of investigation by the Cook County State's Attorney's Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Division, the State's Attorney said that the teacher would not face criminal charges.

"After an extensive review of all available information related to this matter, including witness accounts, we concluded that the totality of the evidence was insufficient to meet our burden of proof to file criminal charges," the CCSAO said in a statement to Patch.

"As prosecutors, we have both an ethical and legal obligation to make charging decisions based on the evidence, facts, and the law. We will continue to work collaboratively with police as they investigate crime and when information is brought to us, as we remain committed to the work of justice for everyone in Cook County."

Prior to being handed over to the state's attorney, the Flossmoor Police Department launched its own investigation into the allegations. Once in the state's attorney's hands, the case was closed in November 2021, but re-opened a month later, according to a report from the Southland Investigative Reporting Center. The district also then opened an independent, internal investigation in December 2021.

Flossmoor District 161 officials in September 2022 released a statement on the State's Attorney's decision.

"Flossmoor School District 161 has been made aware that the Cook County State’s Attorney has closed its investigation of [the teacher] in relation to allegations of abuse brought by a former student," the district said in a statement to Patch. "From the time the former student’s allegations were disclosed to the District, [the teacher] has been on administrative leave. The District has consistently cooperated with the investigation conducted by the Flossmoor Police Department and the State’s Attorney’s office."

District officials said at that time they would conclude the district's internal investigation in coming weeks, which would take into consideration the state's attorney's decision. The teacher has remained on paid administration leave.