Cook County state’s attorney’s officials will be back in Bridgeview court Friday, seeking to raise the bond of an Oak Lawn man who was released after being charged with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy.
A state’s attorney’s spokesman said Wednesday that Edward J. Maresh, 55, of 5914 W. 90th St., was released on a $50,000 recognizance bond Monday because he said he had to take care of his 86-year-old mother who lives with him.
The decision was protested by area residents.
Maresh said his mother, Christine, suffers from senility and dizziness. An investigation by the state’s attorney’s office will prove otherwise, an official said, but he would give no more details.
Joan Oliver, who lives next door to Maresh and said she has often spoken to Maresh’s mother, said she saw her doing yard work Wednesday.
“I feel so bad for her,” Oliver said. “I did try and call, but I got no answer.”
Police said Maresh has been under house arrest since his release and can only go out under special circumstances. Maresh can only leave home to go to work or to Alcoholic Anonymous meetings, according to Oak Lawn police Lt. Bob Smith.
“Other than that, if he goes out, he’s subject to arrest,” Smith said.
Maresh, who is divorced, was released Monday by Judge James Henry after being arrested Saturday and charged with criminal sexual assault and contributing to the delinquency of a child. He is accused of molesting an Oak Lawn teenager. Maresh was convicted in 1986 on two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in a similar incident.
Area residents had complained about Maresh being released. Maureen Kolk, who has sons ages 14, 12 and 6, said she has been dropping them off and picking them up ever since the suspected incident.
“My boys think he’s sick, and they’re scared,” Kolk said.
Smith said Oak Lawn police have provided nearby schools with information about Maresh and the regulations he is supposed to follow. Smith said two Oak Lawn officers have been speaking at the elementary schools as part of the Stranger Danger program.
Police say Maresh worked part time assembling furniture at Service Merchandise in Burbank. Officials at the store and the company’s national office in Nashville declined to comment.
Attempts to contact Maresh were unsuccessful. Although several people were seen going into Maresh’s house Wednesday, no one answered the front door. A man who picked up the phone at Maresh’s home hung up when the caller identified himself as a reporter.
Maresh’s attorney, Thomas Pavletic of the Cook County public defender’s office, wouldn’t comment on the case.
