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N. Aurora couple sues neighbors after hidden camera found in bedroom

A North Aurora couple has sued their neighbors, alleging the family's 16-year-old son placed a hidden camera in the couple's bedroom.

David and Katerina Speers also have obtained an order of protection against the teen, who used to baby-sit for the Speers family. Police searched the other family's house in November and seized computers, cables, memory sticks and an empty camera box, records show.

The Speers are seeking a jury trial and more than $50,000 in damages from the teen and his parents, alleging invasion of privacy and negligence by the parents in supervising their son, according to a lawsuit recently filed in Kane County. No criminal charges have been filed in the case.

“We have not made any arrests. It is an active investigation,” said North Aurora Deputy Police Chief Scott Buziecki, who declined additional comment.

David Speers contacted police on Nov. 17, after finding a surveillance camera near his bedroom television, according to a North Aurora police search warrant.

Speers researched the device, a mini wireless camera with a microphone, and learned that the teen lived within range of the camera.

The teen's father told Speers that he found a silver receiver in his home and questioned his son, who claimed it was to boost TV reception, according to the search warrant. It also says the father took the receiver away from his son, who later recaptured it and tried again to get a picture with it.

The warrant also says the boy admitted buying the camera online and placing it in the couple's bedroom to record Katerina Speers. The teen told police that he turned on the receiver, but came up with a blank screen with no audio. He also said he was unable to connect it to his computer.

The lawsuit argues that the father should have known the capabilities of the receiver and should have taken action to find the camera as well.

Messages left with Michael Funkey, an Aurora attorney who represents the Speers family in the lawsuit, were not returned.

The Daily Herald is not naming the defendant family because the teen is a minor and no criminal charges have been filed in the case. It was not immediately known if the family is represented by an attorney in the lawsuit.

“Whatever allegations Mr. Speers made are just that, allegations,” said Kelly Bennett, an attorney who represented the teen in the order of protection case. Bennett declined additional comment.

Both sides are due in court March 14; the order of protection runs through December 2014.

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