A former mental health counselor at Hartgrove Behavioral Health Hospital is facing charges for allegedly sexually assaulting five boys under his care over an eight-year period. Edmund Rivers, 68, is accused of abusing minor patients between 1996 and 2004, targeting boys aged between 7 and 14 at the time of the assaults. Rivers worked at the West Side psychiatric facility from 1993 to 2004, where he allegedly assaulted the boys in various locations within the hospital, including patient rooms, a seclusion room, a cafeteria bathroom, and a gym equipment room.
According to prosecutors, Rivers would threaten the children with sedation using a hypodermic syringe if they resisted his advances. Judge James Costello ordered Rivers to be detained following a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building. He faces three counts of criminal sexual assault involving victims between 13 and 17 years old, as well as two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault for attacks involving victims under 13.
The charges against Rivers came to light after several victims, who were unaware of each other’s experiences, contacted the police upon learning about a civil lawsuit alleging a wider pattern of abuse at the facility, now known as Hartgrove Behavioral Health System in the Austin neighborhood.
CWBChicago, a news outlet dedicated to providing original public safety reporting with better context and detail than mainstream media outlets, reported on the case. The outlet was founded in 2013 by residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown and has since expanded its coverage to include areas such as Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, and Uptown. Their mission is to deliver accurate and thorough reporting on public safety issues.
The allegations against Rivers highlight the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals receiving care in mental health facilities. The case serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in monitoring and addressing any instances of abuse or misconduct within such institutions.
