PILSEN — A Catholic school teacher at St. Procopius School in Pilsen is facing charges for sexually abusing a boy, according to the Chicago Police Department.
Yesenia Rodriguez, 27, of the 900 block of North Honore Street in West Town, has been charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 18, and a misdemeanor count of battery, police said in a statement.
According to police, Rodriguez was arrested Monday for allegedly sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy in the 1600 block of South Allport Street in Pilsen on May 1, 2018.
Related to the battery charge, Rodriguez is also accused of making physical contact with a 13-year-old boy in the 1800 block of South Allport Street between Sept. 15, 2018 to Jan. 25, 2019, police said.
Rodriguez was arrested at 1:05 p.m. Monday in the 1400 block of South Blue Island Avenue in Pilsen and is expected to appear a judge Wednesday, police said.
Rodriguez worked as a junior high school teacher at St. Procopius School, 1625 S. Allport St., since 2014, Anne Maselli, a spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Chicago, confirmed. But after the school was notified of allegations involving the teacher and a former student of the school, she was suspended, the spokeswoman said.
“Ms. Rodrguez…will remain away from the school until this matter is resolved,” Maselli said.
The Department of Children and Family Services is investigating and the Archdiocese is cooperating with police.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of the children entrusted to our care. The Archdiocese of Chicago takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and encourages anyone who feels they have been sexually abused by a priest, deacon, religious or lay employee, to come forward,” Maselli said.