Vernon Hills High School Soccer Coach Fired, Charged With Sexual Assault
CHICAGO (CBS) -- An assistant soccer coach at Vernon Hills High School has been fired, after she was charged with sexually assaulting three students.
Police arrested 28-year-old Cori Beard last week for allegedly engaging in sexual activity with three male students. Since then, four more former students have come forward with similar allegations, according to police.
Beard was charged with 12 counts of criminal sexual assault. Investigators have been interviewing four more potential victims, all of them boys.
Lake County prosecutors said Beard gave a voluntary statement to investigators, and admitted to having sexual relationships with three male soccer players at several different places, including her home and in cars. Prosecutors said more charges could be filed against Beard.
Board members with Community High School District 128 voted Monday night to fire the part-time assistant soccer coach.
Beard had been with the district since 2013, and had worked as a part-time assistant coach for the boys' and girls' soccer teams.
The allegations came to light when administrators from Vernon Hills High School contacted police about alleged sexual misconduct between a school staff member and a student.
Police believe the incidents for which Beard has been charged happened between December 2016 and February 2018.
At a bond review hearing on Tuesday, Beard's defense attorney asked the judge to reduce her $1 million bail, saying the family couldn't afford to pay her bond. The judge said he had to consider the nature of the offenses, and said reducing her bail would be premature.
Defense attorney Barry Sheppard said Beard is "very distraught."
"This is a person who's lived a law-abiding life, who's been a good coach, and led an exemplary life thus far. We're hopeful to restore her to freedom, her pretrial freedom, soon; and further a life of good citizenship," he said.
Beard's next hearing was scheduled for April 18.
