3rd-Grade Teacher Accused In Sex Abuse of 4 Students

By Anna Deem in News on Apr 9, 2011 5:45PM

Manuel Reyes, 55, a 3rd grade teacher at Raymond Ellis Elementary School in Round Lake Beach, is being accused of allegedly molesting four female students. "We expect there could be additional victims," prosecutor Jason Humke said to the Chicago Sun-Times during Reyes' bond hearing this week. New information presented at the hearing made Judge Raymond Collins raise Reyes' bail from $100,000 to $250,000. As of Friday, he was still in jail.

Round Lake Beach police are still looking for other potential victims. "We intend to investigate this case fully," said Deputy Chief Rich Chiarello to the Sun-Times. Reyes was arrested last Saturday on a warrant charging him with aggravated criminal sexual abuse at his home in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He was brought to Lake County to face the charges after waiving his extradition rights. Lake County carries a maximum five-year prison term for such an offense. Reyes has also been placed on leave by school officials. "No one is aware of any previous concerns," said Constance Collins, superintendent of Round Lake Unit District 116, to the Sun-Times. "We're trying to be sensitive to the needs of our community," Collins said to the Sun-Times, revealing that counselors and social workers have been made available to staff and students.