ILLINOIS
Oak Leaves
Ian Fullerton
For Sun-Times Media
Oct. 20
A former employee at the First Presbyterian Church of River Forest recently charged with molesting a child is facing new accusations of sexual abuse in connection with a separate incident.
Last week, the Office of Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez announced that it had approved an aggravated criminal sexual abuse charge against 57-year-old John Hays, a former director of congregational life at the church, located at 7551 Quick Ave.
According to prosecutors, Hays molested a child that was a member of a family that attended the church in October of 2013.
The offender had allegedly made a visit to the nine-year-old boy’s home after the victim had undergone surgery. As the two watched a movie together, prosecutors said that “Hays got into the same bed with the victim and once the victim began to fall asleep Hays is alleged to have inappropriately touched the child.”
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