Few Kane County abuse cases lead to charges

While Kane County prosecutors investigated nearly 400 cases of child physical and sexual abuse last year, only a fraction resulted in criminal charges, records show.

Most of the investigations from the county's child advocacy center are closed either from scant evidence or after prosecutors determine those involved would benefit from counseling.

"We don't knee-jerk these (cases) into court," State's Attorney John Barsanti said this week. "Bringing criminal charges against someone is a serious thing."

The number of investigations resulting in felonies contrasts with a hallmark of Barsanti's administration, which annually has increased its caseload and pursued more cases to trial.

The child advocacy center, whose prosecutors deal with child sex and abuse, investigated 393 cases from Dec. 1, 2006 to Nov. 30, the records show.

The most cases during that period -- 125 -- originated from Aurora. Of those, 20 ended in felony charges being filed, the records show.

The center had 77 investigations from Elgin during the same period, with 11 resulting in felony charges being filed, according to the data.

With 47-- two that ended in felonies -- Carpentersville ranked third among Kane County towns with the highest number of cases.

"I don't know if you can draw conclusions from it, but you look at where these cases come from and you find some interesting aspects," Barsanti said.

The caseload at the center also has increased annually, Barsanti said, in part because of heightened awareness and laws aimed at making it easier for teachers and officials to report child abuse.