Chicago Catholic Teacher Accused Of Sexually Abusing Student

CHICAGO — A Catholic school teacher on Chicago's West Side is accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy and battering a 13-year-old boy, police said. The teacher taught junior high school at St. Procopius in Pilsen since 2014, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Yesenia Rodriguez, 27, of the 900 block of North Honore Street, has been suspended and "will remain away from the school until the matter is resolved," the archdiocese stated.

Rodriguez is accused of sexually abusing the 14-year-old boy in the 1600 block of South Allport — the same block as the school — on May 1, police said.

She is also accused of battering the 13-year-old boy a few blocks from the school in the 1800 block of South Allport between Sept. 15 and Jan. 25, police said.

"We were informed by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) that Ms. Rodriguez has been arrested and charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse and battery," the archdiocese said in a statement.

"Nothing is more important than the safety of the children entrusted to our care," the statement read. "The Archdiocese of Chicago takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and encourages anyone who feels they have been sexually abused by a priest, deacon, religious or lay employee, to come forward."

Rodriguez has been charged with a felony count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and a misdemeanor count of battery. She appeared in bond court Wednesday.

Image via CPD.