Wauconda-area couple charged with sexual assault of 8-year-old

A Wauconda-area couple is charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of an 8-year-old child, police announced Monday.

Tiffany Horak, 26, and Carl Horak, 25, were charged Friday following a complaint and a Lake County sheriff's police investigation, sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Christopher Thompson said.

The Horaks live at 28088 Lake Drive, Wauconda Township.

Both are being held in Lake County jail in lieu of $500,000 bond. If convicted, they each face up to 60 years in prison.

Thompson said the victim, who knew the Horaks, was abused between last fall and mid-January. Investigators are confident no other children were involved.

Tiffany Horak, who is on parole for a theft-related crime, admitted to the abuse, Lake County Undersheriff Charles Fagan said.

The victim told a family member of the abuse and that person went to police, Fagan said. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is involved in the case, he added.

"In all my years in law enforcement, I am still shocked and disgusted anytime I hear of a child being hurt or abused," said Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran.