Teacher Accused Of Felony Sexual Assault, Abuse Of Student

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — A Glenview special education teacher is accused of engaging in unlawful sexual contact with a student, who is a minor, according to Arlington Heights police. Paul R. Castelli, 45, of the 1300 block of Carol Lane Des Plaines, was arrested at 6:45 p.m. Sunday, at Algonquin and Arlington Heights roads, and charged with felony counts of criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal assault.

Castelli is employed at Glenbrook Off Campus in Glenview, where the minor is a student, according to Glenbrook High School District 225. He has worked for the District for 5 ½ years and has not been on campus since the incident. He is currently on administrative leave.

Castelli was due in bond court Tuesday afternoon in Rolling Meadows. Bond was set at $50,000 and he was assigned a court date of Jan. 28.

At the time of the arrest, officers were patrolling the area and located a suspicious vehicle behind a vacant office building, according to police. They approached the vehicle and saw a man in the driver seat. Officers also noticed a girl in the rear seat, who appeared to be crying while in a state of undress.

Police said Castelli is a teacher, "who as an educator, holds a position of trust, authority or supervision over the minor student."

Castelli was taken into custody and transported to the Arlington Heights Police Department for further investigation. The female was offered medical assistance and reunited with her family, according to police.

"Staff is currently reaching out to all GBOC families by phone. In addition, our school psychologists plan to meet with students this afternoon to provide guidance and support," Glenbrook 225 Superintendent Dr. Charles Johns said in a letter to parents.

Johns said school psychologists will also be available to offer additional support for students on an as-needed basis. For any students who aren’t in attendance, the district will be setting up virtual opportunities via Zoom.

"The District is disturbed by this incident and arrest. In hiring employees, the District conducts a thorough review process that includes both state and federal background and fingerprinting checks," Johns said. "District 225 will continue to review its hiring and staff training processes to ensure that staff is fully aware of the District’s professional expectations, the law and their ethical obligation to safeguard children."

Glenbrook Off Campus is a small day school run by Glenbrook High School District 225 for students with special needs. All of the students enrolled at Glenbrook Off Campus come from either Glenbrook North or Glenbrook South High School. The Glenbrook Off Campus School has approximately 50 high school students and 25 staff members including teachers, therapists, assistants and others, according to its website.

Detectives said a "thorough investigation" was conducted with assistance provided by the Children’s Advocacy Center. Detectives reviewed material case facts with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, who approved the Class 1 felony charges against Castelli.