Sandburg Staffer Accused Of 'Unlawful Grooming' Gets $50K Bail

ORLAND PARK, IL — A Sandburg High School staff member sent numerous inappropriate text messages to a young family member, prosecutors say. Eric Kruger, 34, of Oak Forest, appeared before Cook County Judge Terry Gallagher Thursday on a felony charge of unlawful grooming. The child is his 12-year-old niece by marriage and in the sixth grade.

According to court documents, the girl and her family went on vacation where Kruger was present. He began texting the girl after other family members went to sleep and asked her to sit with him by a bonfire. The prosecutor said that nothing happened, but after the trip, Kruger began texting the girl, usually late at night.

>>> Staff Member At Sandburg Charged With Unlawful Grooming

In mid-September, Kruger sent a text asking if the girl had a boyfriend, the prosecutor said. He allegedly told the girl how easy it would be for her to get a boyfriend and that all the boys must want to ask her out. The prosecutor said Kruger further complimented the girl, saying she was smart, funny and beautiful, and any boy would be stupid not to date her.

The texts continued through October. Kruger is said to have asked the girl if she had boyfriends, if she had kissed them or done anything sexually. He continually complimented her and was sympathetic when she vented about getting into trouble with other family members who criticized the way she dressed, the prosecutor said. Kruger reportedly apologized on more than one occasion for being "weird" or if he made her feel uncomfortable.

Kruger is also invited the girl to spend the night at his house, but she declined, the prosecutor said. He allegedly offered to pay her to babysit his children.

The prosecutor said Kruger and the girl eventually met in person, where he apologized for the texts and told her not to tell anyone. The girl later told her grandparents, who contacted Orland Park police.

Police secured the text exchange between Kruger and the girl, and he was arrested Tuesday. Prosecutors say Kruger admitted that he knew police were there because of the texts. When police called the phone number in Kruger's presence, his phone rang, the prosecutor said.

Kruger's attorney said her client was a special education paraprofessional at Carl Sandburg High School as well as an assistant wrestling coach. Kruger is married and the father of three children. His family was in the courtroom to support him.

Kruger has no prior criminal background. Bail was set at $50,000.

The judge ordered him not to have any contact with children under 18, except for his own children, while the case is pending. Kruger's next court date is Jan. 7.