Substitute Teacher Charged with Sexual Assault of Elementary School Student

Cook County, IL - A substitute teacher at La Grange Highlands Elementary School was arrested Jan. 26 after someone told police he inappropriately touched a female student Jan. 25 after class.

Joseph Gurzejk, 56, of Westchester, is charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

A Cook County prosecutor said when the other students left for a lunch period, Gurzejk hugged the student, placing his hands on her buttocks over her clothes. He then slipped his hands underneath the student’s clothing, and began touching her in a sexual nature, the prosecutor said.

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Gurzejk has worked as a substitute teacher at La Grange Highlands Elementary School since 2004, the sheriff’s office reports. He is scheduled to appear for a bond hearing Thursday at the Bridgeview courthouse.

Sheriff Thomas Dart asks anyone with information related to this incident to call the sheriff’s police at 708-865-4896.

Photo courtesy of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.