Waukegan man charged with sexually assaulting child at home day care

A Waukegan man is free on bond after being charged with sexually assaulting a 5-year-old at the home day care operated by his wife, authorities said.

Mario Montes-Deoca, 60, was charged July 16 with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and booked into the Lake County jail, said Cynthia Vargas, spokeswoman with the Lake County state's attorney's office. Montes-Deoca has since posted 10 percent of the $100,000 bail required to go free while his case is pending.

Vargas said the 5-year-old complained to parents of being assaulted while taking a bath in the home-based day care on July 10. The mother took the child to a doctor, who then spoke with investigators from the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center.

Montes-Deoca, of the 1000 block on Montesano Avenue, admitted during the investigation to assaulting the child, Vargas said.

The investigation continues, Vargas said, adding that any one else with information should contact the Lake County state's attorney's office at (847) 377-3000.

The charge against Montes-Deoca is a Class X felony punishable by a mandatory six to 30 years in prison if he is convicted.