Westmont man accused of inappropriately touching pregnant woman

A Westmont man accused of inappropriately touching a pregnant woman is being held on $50,000 bail in DuPage County jail.

Keenan Fowlkes, 18, is charged with aggravated battery to a pregnant woman.

Authorities said Fowlkes approached a 28-year-old woman around 1:15 p.m. Wednesday as she walked in a strip mall near the intersection of 63rd Street and Fairview Avenue in Westmont.

Prosecutors said Fowlkes told the woman, "I haven't seen you in the area. You're pretty." When the women told Fowlkes she was pregnant, he said, "I can help you with your kid," and rubbed her stomach, prosecutors said.

Fowlkes also is accused of rubbing the woman's thigh and genitals and grabbing her by her wrist to pull her back toward him as she attempted to leave.

Police located Fowlkes at a nearby restaurant.

"My office has no tolerance whatsoever for the type of actions (Fowlkes) has been charged with," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a written statement. "We will do everything within our power to ensure that no one is subjected to the kind of violent and aggressive behavior alleged in this case."

Fowlkes' next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 1 in front of Judge Jeffrey Mackay.