A West Chicago man was sentenced to 12 years in prison Thursday after admitting he sexually assaulted a girl that he was babysitting.
In a negotiated plea with DuPage County prosecutors, Jose Antonio Merino, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of predatory criminal sexual assault in exchange for the 12-year sentence.
Authorities alleged that the assault took place during the summer of 2011, at a time when Merino was babysitting the girl at his home while the child’s mother worked. The incident came to light last year, when the girl told a health-care professional about the assault, which was relayed to West Chicago police and the DuPage County Children’s Center.
Merino was charged in March 2014, and has remained in the county jail since then.
“Mr. Merino was supposed to take care of and protect his young victim while her mother was at work,” State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said. “But instead of keeping a watchful eye on her, Mr. Merino sexually assaulted her in a disgusting attempt to satisfy his own sick desires. He thought nothing of what effect his assault would have on her.”
Merino will be required to serve 85 percent of his sentence, and must register for life as a sex offender.
Clifford Ward is a freelance reporter.
