Suspect charged with sexually abusing two girls in Mt. Prospect, Palatine

A 72-year-old Palatine man was ordered held on $200,000 total bond Thursday on charges he sexually abused two girls.

Edison Banares is charged with predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. If convicted of the most serious crime, he could face up to 30 years in prison.

According to prosecutors, one of the girls was 9 when she says he first abused her between November 2010 and July 2011.

Last September, the girl, now a teenager, wrote her mother a note disclosing the abuse, said Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Nicole Murphy.

The other girl subsequently reported that Banares had abused her when she was 4 to 7 years old, Murphy said. According to that girl, the abuse continued until 2016, Murphy said.

Prosecutors say the abuse took place in Mount Prospect and Palatine.

Cook County Judge Ellen Mandeltort ordered Banares have no contact with his accusers or anyone younger than 18. He next appears in court on Dec. 4.