UPDATED: Hinsdale Resident Charged With Criminal Sex Abuse of Student

*UPDATED: 11:51 a.m. Feb. 8

A Carl Sandburg High School substitute teacher and freshman basketball coach, who lives in unincorporated Hinsdale, has been charged with sexually abusing a female student.

According to the DuPage County Sheriff's Office, Steven E. Reynolds, of the 600 block of 55th Street in Hinsdale, was taken into custody Monday night. Reynolds has been charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in the case of a 17-year-old female Carl Sandburg student.

Reynolds, 26, allegedly committed the abuse at his home on Jan. 28, according to a press release Tuesday from the office of DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin.

Berlin's office said that the 17-year-old told her friends about the alleged contact, who then told Carl Sandburg school officials. The school immediately contacted the Orland Park Police Department, who then contacted Berlin's office.

District 230 Superintendent Dr. James M. Gay said in an emailed statement, “I would like to commend the individuals who brought this information to the school’s attention and the swift manner in which the school administration and local authorities addressed this very sensitive situation."

Investigations opened

According to the State's Attorney's Office, Tuesday's charges came about as a result of an investigation by the DuPage County Children's Center.

“If these allegations are proven true, Mr. Reynolds used his position of trust and authority as a member of the school faculty to sexually abuse his young victim,” said Berlin. “He allegedly betrayed the trust placed in him by the victim, the victim’s parents and the school to satisfy his own desires."

Berlin spokesperson Paul Darrah did not comment on the nature of the abuse.

“The charges are that she’s underage and that’s all I can address at this point,” Darrah said.

The Illinois State Board of Education also has opened an investigation into the matter.

"We are tracking this case and will be following it. We have opened the file to determine whether we will be pursuing suspending or removing [Reynolds'] teaching certificate," said Mary Fergus, a spokesperson for the ISBE.

Reynolds is certified to teach at the middle school and high school levels, and his teaching certification is up for renewal in July.

According to District 230, Reynolds only has taught at Carl Sandburg High School. There is no record of Reynolds teaching at other schools in Orland Park, nor schools in the the Burr Ridge, Hinsdale or Lyons Township districts near his home.

Fergus said she would need to do further research to say whether there had been any previous complaints against Reynolds.

"Right now this case is moving through the local level. We don't want to interfere with a criminal investigation," said Fergus.

Reynolds is currently being held at the DuPage County Jail, and his bond has been set at $250,000. His arraignment is set for March 5 in front of Judge George Bakalis.

Reynolds has been charged with a Class 2 felony, which carries a sentence of three to seven years in prison, Darrah said.

*This story was updated from the time of its original publication with facts of the investigation opened and the amount of the bond. Check back on Burr Ridge Patch for updates to this story.

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