A Former CPS Contract Employee Accused of Sending Inappropriate Messages to a Student
A former Chicago Public Schools contract employee, Mycale Ford, has been ordered detained after being accused of sending sexual messages to a 13-year-old student, displaying a lack of self-control and posing a risk to children, according to a Cook County judge.
The Allegations Against Mycale Ford
Prosecutors revealed that Ford, a 41-year-old special education classroom assistant at the Gresham School Of Excellence, allegedly sent a message to a 13-year-old student on Instagram, making inappropriate comments about her body. The student promptly reported the incident to her family and school officials, leading to Ford’s arrest on a charge of grooming.
Further investigations uncovered over 30 communications between Ford and the student, with messages containing compliments about her appearance and inquiries about her social media activity. Ford admitted to sending the messages and acknowledged knowing the girl’s age, according to Assistant State’s Attorney Mya Hinton.
Past Allegations and Legal Proceedings
Notably, Ford faced similar allegations in 2016 while working as a school security guard, where a 14-year-old student accused him of soliciting nude photos via Facebook Messenger. However, the case was closed without charges after the student recanted her statement during a subsequent interview.
Court Hearing and Detention Decision
During the recent detention hearing, Ford’s defense attorney argued that the messages did not meet the legal definition of grooming under Illinois law and highlighted Ford’s cooperation with authorities and lack of criminal history. However, Judge Ankur Srivastava disagreed, emphasizing Ford’s repeated contact with the student and social media conduct as grounds for detention.
Despite Ford’s clean criminal record, the judge underscored the seriousness of the allegations and Ford’s prior encounter with similar accusations in 2016. Ford is currently detained, with his next hearing scheduled for November 12.
Conclusion
The case of Mycale Ford serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding children and the repercussions of inappropriate behavior towards minors. As the legal proceedings continue, the court will determine the appropriate course of action in addressing the allegations against Ford.
This article is based on court records and an official transcript of the detention hearing obtained by CWBChicago.
