A former Schaumburg woman was found guilty Thursday of criminal sexual abuse in the molestation of a then-11-year-old girl during a sleepover two years ago in the woman’s apartment.
After a bench trial, Cook County Circuit Judge Sam Amirante sentenced Jennifer Whittiemore, 20, to 48 months’ probation and 30 days in jail, which she has served, said Assistant State’s Atty. Liz Hantzos Finn. Whittiemore also must register with police as a sex offender.
Amirante reduced the charge from predatory criminal sexual assault, believing there was some sort of sexual contact but not what was required for the original charge, Hantzos Finn said.
The victim, who was Whittiemore’s neighbor, did some housework for her and then spent the night in March 1997 along with other young girls. According to the prosecution, Whittiemore gave the girl cigarettes and wine coolers and later had sexual contact with her.
The victim, who now lives out of state, testified in the one-day trial.
Whittiemore’s former live-in boyfriend, Joseph Schwartz, 27, was sentenced last fall to 3 years in prison after pleading guilty to using the Internet to lure a different 11-year-old Schaumburg girl to a meeting place in March 1998 with the intention of kidnapping her.
