No Sexual Abuse Charges Against Flossmoor Teacher: State's Attorney

FLOSSMOOR, IL — A teacher at Flossmoor Elementary District 161 who has been on paid leave while under investigation for alleged sexual abuse of a student will not face charges, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office told Patch Monday.

A former student who is now 17 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.

RELATED: Flossmoor Teacher On Leave After Sexual Abuse Allegations

After months of investigation by the Cook County State's Attorney's Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Division, the State's Attorney will not file 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 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 they would conclude the district's internal investigation in coming weeks, which will take into consideration the state's attorney's decision.

The teacher will remain on paid administration leave at this time.