A Kane County jury has found 65-year-old Juan C. Avendano guilty of repeatedly sexually assaulting a student in his kindergarten class.
Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Matthew Rodgers and Jessica Michels presented evidence that between August 2016 and June 2017 Avendano made sexual contact with the victim, who was a student in his kindergarten class at Bardwell Elementary School in East Aurora School District 131.
“Mr. Avendano selfishly exploited the teacher-student relationship,” Rodgers said. “Sadly, the vast majority of child sexual abuse victims are preyed upon by adults they know and should be able to trust. Thankfully, when this survivor spoke up to a friend about the sexual abuse, the friend listened and told an adult.”
Kane County Judge Salvatore LoPiccolo, Jr., set Avendano’s next court appearance for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 29, 2021, for motions and to set a sentencing date.
In addition to his prison term, Avendano must register for life as a sexual offender in accordance with the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act.
Avendano had been free on $25,000 bond. Judge LoPiccolo revoked bond upon conviction and ordered Avendano into custody at the Kane County jail.
The families of the victim and another girl who also claims to have been assaulted by Avendano are suing District 131, alleging the abuse was reported to school officials as early as 2014, but the principal and a teacher did not report it to authorities until 2018. That suit remains in progress.
