Oregon man sentenced to jail for abuse of Port Barrington girl

An Oregon man, described by his attorney as a successful business owner, Eagle Scout and former eucharistic minister, was sentenced to 60 days in jail and three years probation Friday for sexually abusing a child in Port Barrington.

James Schlight, 69, was found guilty in January by McHenry County Judge Mark Gerhardt on seven counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child younger than 13, Class 2 felonies, according to court records.

Schlight must serve half the 60-day jail sentence, pay his victim’s therapy bills not covered by insurance and register as a sex offender for life.

He was accused of abusing the child in her home during visits to her family while she was between the ages of 6 and about 11, according to trial testimony.

Assistant McHenry County State’s Attorney Ashur Youash asked for a 4-year prison sentence Friday, citing the seriousness of his crimes and his betrayal of the girl’s and her family’s trust.

In asking for probation, Schlight attorney Catharine O’Daniel said he is not a threat and has been remorseful. He also has no other criminal background — not even a traffic ticket, she said.

The child and her family read impact statements via Zoom, saying Schlight, held a position of trust with them and betrayed that trust. The child’s mother said her daughter has struggled with depression and anxiety as a result of Schlight’s actions. It has affected her at school and in sports, and there were “many days she would hardly leave her room,” her mom said.

The victim called Schlight “a coward,” and when the trial is over, she said that he “won’t cross my mind again.”

Prosecutors said the abuse occurred over four years, from 2014 to 2018, with the charges filed in 2021 after the girl told her parents about Schlight’s actions in a letter.