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Suburban Mom Gets 10 Years For Molesting Teens

CHICAGO RIDGE, Ill. (STMW) - A southwest suburban mother of three was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison after admitting having sex with teenage boys who were friends of her daughter.

Cathleen Miller, 40, of Chicago Ridge, pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault as her mother and sister as well as the families of two of her victims were present, defense attorney Robert Olson said.

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The longtime secretary for the village of Chicago Ridge received three years each for molesting three of the victims and another year for abusing a fourth victim, said Andy Conklin, a spokesman for the Cook County state's attorney's office. The boys were either 14 or 15 at the time.

A fifth victim also accused Miller, but prosecutors did not proceed with his case, Olson said.

Miller plied the teens with alcohol and marijuana and had sexual intercourse with two of them in her home in the 5800 block of 109th Street between February and June, according to prosecutors.

Olson said the sexual activity came to light after one of the boys wrote an apology on Facebook to Miller's oldest daughter, who had walked in on Miller and him while they were together. His parents saw the message and went to police, Olson said.

He said that as police started asking questions, Miller checked herself into a hospital, considering suicide. That's when her sister took custody of the girl, then 14, and her sisters, ages 3 and 10, Olson said.

Miller has been held at the Cook County Jail since her July 13 arrest. She was fired from her job.

She originally denied any wrongdoing, saying the boys brought alcohol and drugs to her home. At the time of her arrest, she had just separated from her husband, sought an order of protection against him and had consulted with Olson about filing for divorce.

Olson said her children now live with their dad in the family home, and divorce proceedings are under way

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