Round Lake Beach teacher denies molesting children

A Round Lake Beach schoolteacher pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges he molested four children under the age of 13.

Manuel Reyes, 55, faces up to seven years in prison per victim if convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse charges filed earlier this year after parents of one of the children contacted police.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Ari Fisz said Reyes, of Kenosha, Wis., is a third-grade teacher at Raymond Ellis Elementary School and a six-year teacher in Round Lake Area Unit School District 116.

Reyes is accused of inappropriately touching the children between Aug. 18 of last year and March 23, according to Round Lake Beach police.

To protect the identity of the children, police are declining to say if the children are students of Reyes’ or where the incidents took place.

School officials placed Reyes on administrative leave shortly after his April 3 arrest at his home.

Circuit Court Judge Fred Foreman scheduled a trial for Oct. 17 and ordered Reyes, who is free on $25,000 bond, to return to court Sept. 8.