A 44-year-old special education teacher at Lake Park High School’s East Campus in Roselle has been charged with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse involving allegations of misconduct with a teenage girl, officials said Wednesday.
Gary A. Edelman of 540 Lafayette Lane in Hoffman Estates was arrested Tuesday night by Itasca police, according to an announcement by DuPage County State’s Atty. Joseph Birkett.
The accuser, who was 16 when the alleged misconduct began, is now 17. She was not a student at Lake Park High School at the time of the alleged incidents. And the alleged misconduct is unrelated to Edelman’s job, officials said.
Edelman has known the girl and her family for many years, officials said.
“The investigation is continuing into this incident, and additional charges may follow,” said Laura Pollastrini, spokeswoman for the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office.
Edelman appeared in DuPage County court Wednesday morning and was released on $200,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 3.
Police allege that an improper incident took place Aug. 6 in Itasca that was observed by a witness who did not know Edelman or the girl. Police did not give any details of the incident.
The witness contacted Itasca police, prompting an investigation that later involved the DuPage County Children’s Center and Roselle police, said Itasca Police Chief Michael McDonald.
School officials at Lake Park Community High School District 108, where Edelman has worked for 18 years, were notified of the charges, district spokeswoman Lynn Strevell said.
“Once we conclude our investigation, which will include a hearing,” she said, “we will take appropriate action.”
District officials hope to wrap up the investigation before school begins on Aug. 20, she said.
Strevell said she could not comment on Edelman’s work history, citing confidentiality of personnel records.
