Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
National
David Struett

Ex-Joliet Diocese teacher arrested and booked on child grooming charges

St. Joseph Catholic School | Google Maps

A former teacher for the Catholic Diocese of Joliet was arrested and booked Tuesday on charges of inappropriate communication with a child.

Jeremy Hylka, 44, posted a $10,000 bail and was released, Joliet police said in a statement.

Hylka had been hospitalized for an unspecified reason since he was charged in late April with traveling to meet a child and grooming, police said.

A Snapchat video allegedly showed Hylka engage in inappropriate behavior with someone he thought was a 15-year-old boy. But the person was really a 19-year-old man who posed as a minor, police said.

The Joliet Diocese fired Hylka from teaching at three of its schools, and later admitted that Hylka never met the requirements to teach full time.

Lynne Scheffler, principal of St. Joseph Catholic School in Lockport, was placed on administrative leave while officials “examine the circumstances” of Hylka’s employment, the diocese said last week.

Hylka also taught at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church and the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, both in Joliet, according to the diocese.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.