Great Uncle Accused of Sexually Abusing Young Niece

CHICAGO RIDGE, IL -- A great uncle was arrested after a months-long investigation into allegations that he sexually abused his young niece. The Chicago Ridge man allegedly told his niece’s mother that “things got out of hand” when she confronted him about the abuse.

Albert M. Jackson, 62, appeared before Cook County Judge John Gallagher on a charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Court records indicated the alleged abuse happened around Feb. 20 when the girl was apparently visiting her great uncle.

The prosecutor said that during the 12-year-old girl’s visit, Jackson offered to give her a foot rub. While rubbing the girl’s feet, the prosecutor said Jackson’s hand traveled up her leg, where he fondled her backside over her clothes. Jackson’s hand slid up the girl’s a leg second time, which he allegedly placed over her vagina on top of her clothes.

Jackson followed his niece into the kitchen, where he reportedly said, “I’d love to see you undress.” The girl told her mother, who confronted Jackson. At first he denied the girl’s charges, but admitted to touching her, stating “things got out of hand.”

The assistant public defender told the judge that Jackson recently retired from the roofing business and was honorably discharged from U.S. Army in the 1970s. She asked the judge for a reasonable bond.

The judge set bail at $50,000. Jackson has to remain on electronic monitoring should he bond out, and stay away from minors and computers while the case is pending. He is also to have no contact with his great niece.

Jackson is due back in court June 12 in Bridgeview.