Glen Baum’s lack of criminal history and longtime connections to the area didn’t convince a Kane County judge Wednesday to reduce his bail amount in connection to charges he sexually assaulted a teen who was in a class he was teaching through Kaneland schools.
Baum, 42, of Oswego, appeared before Judge James Hallock seeking to have his $250,000 bail dropped to $100,000.
Baum has lived in the Oswego area for years and has had nothing more than a speeding ticket in his life, according to his attorney, who added that Baum’s wife would be able to come up with $10,000 to post bond if the reduction was granted.
However, Hallock said the current “bond amount is reasonable” after reading a police synopsis of the investigation into Baum.
Prosecutors allege Baum had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female student he taught as an instructor in a fire science course offered as a vocational training class through Kaneland School District 302.
The school system said Baum was contracted to teach the course through the Fox Valley Career Center, which provides technical training for seven high schools in Kane County and is located at Kaneland High School.
Charging documents state Baum had sex with the teen, fondled her and engaged in other sex acts over the course of several months from May 2014 through January.
Prosecutors previously said the teen’s mother contacted police after discovering messages from Baum on the teen’s phone.
More Top Picks Porter Cable 20v Max 1 2 In Drill Driver Kit Pcck607lb
Baum was arrested last week and charged with nine counts of criminal sexual assault and two counts of child pornography possession after he was found to have photos of a young unclothed female.
Assistant State’s Attorney Christine Bayer said Baum faces a minimum of 36 years in prison if convicted of the nine assault counts.Hallock upheld restrictions against Baum, should he leave jail, involving contact with anyone under 18 years of age, as well as barring him from using the Internet. Baum also is prohibited from sharing the teen’s name with anyone, Hallock ruled.
Baum stood sullen in court wearing red Kendall County Jail attire during the hearing. Kane County Lt. Pat Gengler confirmed Baum is being housed in Kendall County. Jail officials often err on the side of caution when it comes to possible connections or conflicts between inmates and jail employees, Gengler said, without getting into specifics about Baum’s situation.
“At the time he was taken into custody, he was still under investigation,” Gengler said.
Baum returns to court March 18.
Dan Campana is a freelancer reporter.