Waukegan woman admits molesting girl at Boys and Girls Club

A Waukegan woman faces up to seven years in prison after admitting Wednesday she repeatedly molested a young girl she met at the Waukegan Boys and Girls Club.

Giana Burkley, 19, pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal sexual abuse during a hearing before Associate Judge Theodore S. Potkonjak.

Assistant State's Attorney Tim Niehus said Burkley, of the 400 block of 8th Street, met the 13-year-old girl at the club in September of last year. The two developed a relationship, Niehus said, and Burkley molested the girl several times on club property and at Burkley's home over a six-month period.

The girl's mother became suspicious, Niehus said, and asked club officials to keep the two separate from each other when they attended club functions.

In mid-February, a club official called the girl's mother and reported the girl had told her of the incidents with Burkley, and the mother called police.

In addition to the prison term, Niehus said, Burkley will be eligible for local jail time and probation and counseling when she is sentenced Nov. 13.