An alleged sexual assault took place at Hewett Hall on the Illinois State campus on Tuesday between 10 and 11 p.m. This assault was reported by being done by a father and son from Chicago, who now both are facing a variety of charges.
The assault was done during Preview days, which is a time where accepted students come to tour the campus, learn about activities they can participate in and sign up for classes. The event also helps new students feel at home and allows them to stay in the dorms to get a feel for life on campus. Sadly, the female that was assaulted was not able to feel at home.
The two men who are facing charges for this incident are Shawn Childs Jr., 19, a student who was also attending Preview, and his father, Shawn Childs Sr. Childs Jr. is facing charges that include four counts of criminal sexual assault of a woman. The charges for his father include possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
According to the statement that was read on Thursday in the McLean County Circuit Court by First Assistant State's Attorney Adam Ghrist, Childs Sr. had offered to purchase alcohol for the minors on Tuesday night. When he returned, the victim allegedly saw Childs Sr. put a pill in her soda that she proceeded to drink.
The victim told police she returned to her room as soon as she began not feeling well. She reported that Childs Jr. followed her to her room and proceeded to sexually assault her. Ghrist said that the woman stated in her description of the assault that Childs Jr. raped her twice and kept her from leaving the room. The woman reported the attack the following morning.
Both father and son were arrested on Wednesday at Uptown Station as they were preparing to board the train back to Chicago. Police reported that Childs Sr. had ecstasy in his pocket at the time of their arrests.
ISU Chief of Staff Jay Groves said, "It's a terrible crime someone committed, and worse that that, it was a parent that played a very large role in the events that led up to the crime. That's very sad and obviously a very violent crime."
Preview has been hosted at ISU for 50 years, and Groves mentioned that this is the first time a crime like this has happened. The university is "offended on many levels," according to ISU President, Larry Dietz.
Childs Jr. must post $10,035 to be release and his father must post $20,035. Childs Jr. does not have any prior criminal record, but his father has many previous convictions for attempted murder, domestic battery and unlawful use of weapon, according to Ghrist.
Their arraignment is scheduled for July 29.
