Lake Co. man denies child molesting charge

A Round Lake Beach man charged with molesting two young girls pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lake County circuit court.

Clarence Ratzke, 74, faces a potential life prison sentence if convicted of predatory sexual assault against both victims.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Ryan Koehl said Ratzke, of 1512 North Ave., was acquainted with the girls' family in Park City and frequently spent time alone with the victims. Between June and August 2006, Koehl said, Ratzke molested each of the girls, who were then 6 and 8, on several occasions.

Ratzke was questioned by Round Lake Beach police after a relative of the girls reported the attacks, and he initially denied the crimes. He failed a lie-detector test, police said, then confessed to the crimes after being confronted with the test results.

Circuit Judge Victoria Rossetti scheduled a trial of the case for Jan. 26. She ordered Ratzke, who is held on $500,000 bond, to appear in court Dec. 15.