Former High School Aide Found Guilty Of Having Sex With Student

JOLIET, Ill. (STMW) - A former academic aide at Neuqua Valley High School in west suburban Naperville was convicted Friday of having had sexual relations with a 17-year-old student she tutored.

Deborah J. Cox pleaded guilty Friday in Will County Circuit Court in Joliet to a felony charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim between the ages of 13 and 18.

Judge Richard C. Schoenstedt accepted Cox's plea and placed her on sex offender probation, according to court records. The length of that probation could not be learned late Friday.

Schoenstedt also ordered Cox to register as a child sex offender, court records indicated.

Cox, 58, lives on the 5S200 block of Scots Drive, in the unincorporated Scots Plains area of DuPage County near Naperville's far northwest side. She served nearly a decade as a teacher's aide on the campus of the school, at 2360 95th St.

Naperville police arrested Cox on March 3, 2011, following a six-month-long investigation.

Police last year said Cox had tutored the male student over several years. The sexual relationship began in January 2010 and lasted until May of that year, police said.

The student during that time turned 18, and graduated later that year. His parents ultimately learned of the relationship and in August 2010 reported it to police.

Police last year said Cox did not appear to have been involved with any other students. None of the sexual activity occurred on the school grounds.

Indian Prairie School District 204 Superintendent Kathy Birkett said last year Cox was hired in 2001 and passed the routine background check conducted of all potential employees.

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