Glen C. Baum, 44, of the 500 block of Heritage Drive, Oswego, agreed Aug. 11 to a sentence of seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to criminal sexual assault, a Class 1 felony. Circuit Judge James C. Hallock accepted the plea.

Glen C. Baum, 44, of the 500 block of Heritage Drive, Oswego.

Prosecutors stated at the plea hearing that between May 2014 and January 2015 Baum maintained a sexual relationship with the victim, who was younger than 18 years old. At the time, Baum taught high school-aged students in fire safety through a vocational career training program contracted by and taught at Kaneland Unit District 302 schools. The victim was one of Baum’s students.

The charge reflects Baum’s position of trust, authority or supervision over the victim.

Authorities became aware of the relationship when the victim’s mother saw messages from Baum on the victim’s cell phone and notified police.

According to Illinois law, Baum must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence. He receives credit for 52 days served in the Kane County jail. Baum had been free on $25,000 bond. Bond was revoked upon conviction and Baum was taken into custody.

In addition to the prison sentence Baum will be required to register as a sexual offender in accordance with the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act.

“Mr. Baum’s actions undercut the faith and trust our community must have in those who teach our children, and who are required to protect them. Mr. Baum was, by law, a mandated reporter of child sexual abuse. Thankfully, the vast majority of those who work with children are worthy of our trust,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.

The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Christine Bayer.

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office news release. To follow news releases directly from the SAO, visit the State’s Attorney’s website and Facebook page.