Larkin hall monitor charged with sex abuse

A Larkin High School hall monitor faces two counts of aggravated sexual abuse, both felonies, alleging that he had sex with a student.

Andrew M. Wojtas, 23, of the 1100 block of Birchdale Drive in Elgin, is charged with having sex with a student at least five years younger than himself, according to bond court documents. He is also charged with engaging in this act as an authority figure for the student in his duties as a hall monitor, the documents said. However, it did not occur at the school, Elgin police confirmed.

John Heiderscheidt, the school safety coordinator for Elgin Area School District U-46, said school officials heard about the misconduct Monday — police officials say it happened on May 12.

“This is a very serious situation — extremely serious,” Heiderscheidt said. “We acted on it as quickly as we could and we did report this to the police department right after we became aware of it.” Wojtas was immediately put on administrative leave and asked to leave the high school, Heiderscheidt said. District officials told Wojtas he would not be allowed on U-46 property while he is on leave.

Wojtas has worked for U-46 since April 11 in a part-time capacity as a hall monitor. His job is to assist with the movement of students throughout the school day and supervise the hallways.

Heiderscheidt said Wojtas has not been fired while the school and police investigate the accusations.

“This all happened in one day,” Heiderscheidt said. “We are processing the situation administratively as quickly as we can.”

Bail was set at $75,000 Tuesday, of which Wojtas must pay 10 percent to be released before his next court date, scheduled for May 24 in St. Charles.