Jan. 04--A Naperville teacher has been charged with sexually abusing a teenage boy at her home on New Year's Day, DuPage County prosecutors said Sunday.
Judge John Demling set bail at $300,000 Sunday morning for Christine Taylor, 44, who is charged with one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. She is a sixth-grade language arts and social studies teacher at Jefferson Junior High School in Naperville.
According to prosecutors, Taylor had invited the 16-year-old boy and his mother to her house in the 1100 block of Spring Garden Circle for pizza on New Year's Day. Around 9 p.m., she persuaded the victim's mother to allow Taylor and the teen to take Taylor's dog for a walk. But authorities allege that Taylor instead took the boy into a bedroom at her home and abused him.
The boy's mother allegedly witnessed the abuse, and another resident called police, who took Taylor into custody, according to prosecutors.
"While the victim in this case was not a student at Jefferson Middle School, Ms. Taylor, as a teacher, still holds a position of trust in the community," State's Attorney Robert Berlin said.
Taylor has been placed on administrative leave and is not allowed at any district schools, according to a statement from Naperville School District 203.
"Naperville 203 takes allegations of staff misconduct very seriously and student safety is our number one priority. We will continue to work with the Naperville Police Department on this matter and counselors are available for students when they return to school should they require assistance," officials said in the statement.
Students return from winter break Wednesday.
Clifford Ward is a freelance reporter.
