Orland Park Teacher Gets Two Years' Probation For Biting Child

BRIDGEVIEW, IL -- A Lockport woman convicted of biting a 6-year-old boy was sentenced to 24 months’ probation on Nov. 29. Auste Silionokas, 31, was a teacher at an Orland Park daycare center where the biting occurred. Cook County Judge Joan Margaret O’Brien also ordered Silionokas to perform 100 hours of community service and attend anger management classes.

Silionokas was employed by KinderCare, 14632 John Humphrey Drive, Orland Park in a teaching capacity. On July 26, 2016, she was in charge of a group of children when the 6-year-old boy became upset. Silionokas was attempting to console the child and wrapped her arms around him from behind the boy bit her hand, according to the charges. Silionokas returned the gesture by biting the boy on the cheek because he "bit her first."

>>> Teacher Accused of Biting Child At Orland Park Daycare Center

Prosecutors said at the time of her bond hearing that the biting was witnessed by another a teacher and a child, who were both trying to intervene in calming the boy down. Although Silionokas' purported bite did not break the child's skin, it raised “quite a welt,” said the boy’s aunt, Kimberly Sasek. The child was examined and released at a nearby hospital.

Sasek said her nephew suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and had just transitioned into the state’s foster care system. Her nephew remains at KinderCare because he's done well there.

"It has been really traumatic for him," Sasek told Patch. "His caseworker [from foster care] had visited the school about four to five hours before it happened. The next thing I knew, this happened."

Silionokas was found guilty on Sept. 20 following a two-and-half day jury trial at the Cook County Fifth District Municipal Courthouse in Bridgeview.

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