Itasca man admits molesting girl

A 72-year-old Itasca man must live the rest of his life as a convicted sex offender for inappropriately touching a child who lived in his neighborhood.

Deputies took Bernando Santana into immediate custody Monday to serve out the rest of his 70-day DuPage County jail term for aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

He already served 18 days after his initial arrest last summer. Santana also was placed on a two-year period of sex-offender probation in which authorities will evaluate him to come up with an appropriate treatment program.

Santana admitted having inappropriate contact in 2007 with a 6-year-old girl whose family lived in his neighborhood on the 200 block of South Cherry Street in Itasca, The child reported the abuse last year after her family moved.

Prosecutor Enza LaMonica said Santana enticed the girl to come over to his home to play with his pets, including a puppy and a bunny. He also offered her candy.

Santana did not have a prior criminal record. He has a sixth-grade education in his native Puerto Rico. The U.S. citizen is a retired machine operator with medical issues, including diabetes. He received the sentence Monday as part of a plea agreement.