Lawsuits claim negligence in abuse case at Willow Creek church

By Bridget O’shea
Lake County News-Sun
February 18, 2014

http://newssun.suntimes.com/news/25646908-418/lawsuits-claim-negligence-in-abuse-case-at-willow-creek-church.html

Two lawsuits are claiming that negligence on the part of officials at South Barrington’s Willow Creek Community Church allowed a church volunteer to sexually abuse two young boys in 2012 and 2013.

The most recent suit was filed Thursday, Feb. 13, and claims that the church did not adequately supervise Robert Sobczak, now 20, who allegedly molested the boys.

Sobczak plead guilty in December to aggravated criminal sexual abuse of an 8-year-old boy that he admitted to molesting during church programs. Sobczak was sentenced to two years of probation and has registered as a sex offender.

A second lawsuit was filed in November by an anonymous couple who claimed that Sobczak had molested their son.

In both cases, the children were enrolled in Willow Creek’s Special Friends program for children with special needs.

Ray Cordell, acting chief of police for South Barrington, said the investigation into the case is ongoing.

“Willow Creek has been very cooperative,” he said. “It’s still an open investigation.”