A former substitute lunchroom monitor from Streamwood pleaded guilty Wednesday to stalking an 8-year-old girl.
In exchange for Peter Surges' guilty plea to the class 4 felony, Cook County Judge Ellen Mandletort sentenced the 53-year-old to two years in prison.
Mandletort also issued a permanent no contact order prohibiting Surges from coming within 200 feet of the victim, her family, residence, school or future place of employment. The girl's father, who the Daily Herald is not naming to protect the girl's identity, expressed his satisfaction with the sentence, and praised the Streamwood Police Department, child advocates and Cook County prosecutors for their efforts.
"Justice is done," he said following the sentencing.
Surges worked in the lunchroom at the school the girl attended, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Mike Gerber. In 2010, he began sending the girl notes — between 40 and 50 in all — in which he wrote that he loved her and that her body was sexy, Gerber said.
He hugged her and kissed her on the head, gave her presents and money, created a Facebook account in her name without her or her parents' consent, penned a story about the victim and wrote her a romantic poem titled "10 Things That Stand Out About You," Gerber said.
Last Halloween, Surges told the girl not to wear her costume because he considered it too sexy, said Gerber. A short time later, he scared the girl when he appeared at her bedroom window to warn her to keep her blinds closed when she changed clothes, Gerber said.
Surges, who had no criminal background, received credit for 183 days in custody. He must complete at least 50 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
Asked by the judge if he wanted to make a statement, Surges replied, "I love my family. They know the kind of person I am."
