'Very Frustrating' Progress In H-F Sex Assault Investigation: Lawyer

FLOSSMOOR, IL — Two weeks after a Homewood-Flossmoor High School student claims she was sexually assaulted while on school premises, a lawyer for the accuser's mother says the investigation seems to have stalled.

The female student has alleged that she was sexually assaulted Halloween morning by a male student during a breakout session in her theater class. Flossmoor police told Patch a male student was taken into custody in the incident, then later released to his father as an investigation continues.

Attorney Stephanie White told Patch that following a conversation with a Flossmoor police detective late last week, "it was my impression that neither the teacher nor the outcry witness had yet been interviewed," White told Patch.

"Very frustrating," White told Patch. "I was told the teaching staff had not yet been interviewed because of 'teaching schedules.'"

Flossmoor Police would not confirm or deny White's claims, confirming only that it is an active investigation. Homewood-Flossmoor District 233 declined to comment, also stating that it is an active investigation and all questions should be directed to Flossmoor police.

Despite her frustration, White said she was hopeful that charges will soon be announced in the case.

Following the student's allegation late last month, the accuser's mother publicly criticized the school's response, saying they had mischaracterized the incident.

"The District publicly characterized this as an allegation of assault," she said in a statement released by her attorney Stephanie White. "Be there no mistake, my daughter was sexually assaulted and raped during her theater class."

The district has previously said that they immediately reported the incident to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, which is protocol.

Flossmoor detectives are working closely with the families and school administrators during the investigation, police said previously, and will conduct personal interviews with each student and any potential witnesses. Homewood-Flossmoor District 233 also previously said they immediately reported the incident to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, which is protocol.

Following the accuser's claim, students staged a walk-out, protesting against the school's response to the allegation. Hundreds of students took to Kedzie Avenue to express their frustration with the school's response, decrying a lack of transparency and accountability on the district's part.

Director of Communications and Community Engagement Carla Edrey said the district is "required to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of matters relating to the students we serve. This is a responsibility that we take seriously.

"We can confirm that the school district reviewed the steps taken on Monday, October 31, 2022, when the situation came to light," Erdey wrote. "We can assure our community that HF staff members responded immediately and that all students involved, including their parents and guardians, were treated with compassion and respect by school staff at all times.
Erdey said the school contacted police and the parents or guardians of the students involved "as soon as we were informed of the allegation."

Erdey added that staff followed all school and legal protocols, and that staff members are trained to respond to any crisis situation.