A former Senn High School theater teacher was arrested Monday, and charge with sexually assaulting a former student at the Edgewater school, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Cook County prosecutors said Joel Ewing, 40, allegedly admitted to detectives that he engaged in sexual activity with a now 21-year-old woman, who was 15 when she began receiving texts from Ewing that “were of a romantic nature,” the Sun-Times quoted prosecutors saying during a bail hearing Tuesday.
You can read the complete Sun-Times story here.
Senn Principal Mary Beck sent a letter to parents in July stating that a teacher had been removed over an allegation of inappropriate contact with a former student. Beck said at the time that the matter was being investigated by the Chicago Public Schools’ Office of the Inspector General.
Beck also sent an email to students at that time.
“I know that many of you have had conversations with your parents regarding this letter and you are dealing with this issue through a place of trust in the decisions we make at Senn High School,” she said. “My number one priority is to ensure that every single one of you enters our building feeling safe and protected so that you are able to excel in your education. I do believe that all of you know this and feel this every day.”
Ewing was taken into custody Monday, according to the Sun-Times. He was represented at the bond hearing by a Cook County Public Defender, who said he does not have a criminal history, has been married for 14 years, and has a small child, according to the Sun-Times.
