Deputy coroner charged with sexual abuse

A senior deputy for the Lake County coroner's office was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse Monday afternoon, according to prosecutors.

Robert Barrett, 42, of Lindenhurst is accused of inappropriately touching a 14-year-old girl, said Assistant State's Attorney Patricia Fix.

A witness confronted Barrett after seeing him acting inappropriately with the victim on Sunday night, Fix said.

Barrett then went to the coroner's office in Waukegan, where police found him late Sunday, Lake County Coroner Richard Keller confirmed. Charges were not filed until Monday afternoon.

Barrett has been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the investigation, Keller said.

Barrett had been the longest-serving deputy in the office, according to Keller.

“He was certainly a very good employee, and I certainly never had any problems with his work,” Keller said.

No one was working in the coroner's office late Sunday when police found Barrett there, Keller confirmed. He was not on-duty when police arrived, Keller said.

The case remains under investigation, but officials said the victim has been working with investigators.

Barrett is due in bond court this morning.