Volunteer Naperville middle school coach faces sex abuse charge
A 22-year-old Naperville woman is being held on $100,000 bail in DuPage County jail on charges she had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl she met while volunteering as a girls basketball coach at Hill Middle School in Naperville.
Shakyla Wilson, of the 700 block of Wildflower Circle, has been charged with one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, authorities said. If convicted, she could face up to seven years in prison.
Her next court appearance is scheduled for March 24 before Judge John Kinsella.
Authorities said officials from the Indian Prairie Unit District 204 school contacted Naperville police last month after learning of the alleged inappropriate contact between Wilson and the girl.
The investigation found Wilson and some of the girls from the basketball team went to the movies together Feb. 20, DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin said in a news release. After the movie, Wilson spent the night with the girls at one of the player's homes. Authorities said the alleged sexual contact took place during that sleepover.
In a letter posted on District 204's website, Superintendent Karen Sullivan said Wilson began volunteering at Hill at the end of January to assist with after-school activities and practices. She was working in an unpaid, unofficial capacity, Sullivan said.
When the school became aware of the allegations, Wilson was told she couldn't be on school property, Sullivan said in her letter.
"The allegations against Ms. Wilson are appalling," Berlin said in a news release. "The relationship between a coach and a student-athlete is unique. ... Coaches are there to help athletes attain their goals, not to take advantage of the trust their position holds just to satisfy their own sickening desires."
In the same news release, Naperville police Chief Robert Marshall said he was deeply disturbed by the allegations as both a parent and a police officer.
"Ms. Wilson purposely put herself in a position of influence and trust in order to prey on the innocence of young girls," he said.