Ex-Mooseheart student denies sex assault

A former Mooseheart student pleaded not guilty Friday to charges he sexually assaulted two young classmates at the school near Batavia.

Abraham Mazon, 17, was arraigned in front of Kane County Judge Thomas E. Mueller on two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and six counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of the most serious offense.

Mazon, who is free on a $95,000 bond, was arrested and removed from the school in August after he was accused of assaulting two fellow students who were younger than 13. Authorities initially identified him as a Chicago resident, but court filings indicate Mazon lives on the 200 block of Brandon Boulevard in Batavia.

Mooseheart Child City and School is a 1,000-acre residential and educational facility just outside of the city. An estimated 11,000 children have been served since its founding in 1913 by the fraternal Moose organization, according to the school's Web site.

Mazon's next court date is Jan. 14.