96-Year-Old Charged With Predatory Sexual Assault

LAKE BLUFF, IL — An elderly Lake Bluff man was arrested and charged with abusing a child under 13 who was a guest in his home earlier this month, police said. The alleged molestation was reported to police on Oct. 6 by family members of the child. After an investigation by the Lake Bluff Police Department and the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center, a warrant was issued Tuesday, according to Lake Bluff Police Chief David Belmonte and court records.

Robert E. Bruce, 96, of the 400 block of Park Lane, turned himself in at the Lake County Jail on Wednesday. He was charged with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, a class X felony carrying a minimum six-year sentence. The parents of the child Bruce allegedly assaulted were staying as guests in his home, Belmonte said.

Bruce has been released on a $100,000 bond ahead of a Nov. 9 preliminary court appearance. He is being monitored by pretrial services, he has been forbidden from contact with children under 18, must refrain from possessing weapons, consuming drugs or alcohol and stay away from schools or parks.

Top photo: Robert E. Bruce booking photograph | Lake County Sheriff's office