Two Naperville parents are accused of not only urging their daughters to attack a junior high school classmate, but accompanying them to the ensuing fight, according to charges filed by the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Terika Thomas, 30, and Steven Teague, 36, were charged with contributing to the criminal delinquency of a minor, a class 2 felony, for their roles in the alleged April 2 incident, a joint state’s attorney/Naperville police news release said.
Thomas and Teague “allegedly prompted, facilitated and encouraged their daughters to beat a fellow student,” which started when the two girls and their stepfather, Teague, followed the victim as she walked to her bus stop, the release said.
When the girl decided to go on to the next stop, Teague and his daughters joined Thomas in her vehicle and trailed her. At the second stop, the two girls threw the girl to the ground and began punching her, the release said.
“It is alleged that while the beating was happening, Teague stood by and watched while Thomas got out of her car and encouraged the juveniles to ‘get her,'” the release said.
State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said the parents would be held responsible for their actions.
“The allegations that Steven Teague and Terika Thomas not only brought their daughters to attack a classmate but also encouraged and watched on as the beating took place are disturbing,” Berlin said in a statement. “Thankfully, the victim of this attack was not seriously injured.”
Police Chief Jason Arres said parents are supposed to teach their children how to “appropriately navigate and resolve conflict,” not to get involved in retribution.
“Fighting is not the answer, and it’s dismaying to me that two adults would set such a poor example for children by encouraging and abetting this behavior.”
Teague and Thomas have been released on $4,000 bail each pending their next court appearance, which is May 15 for Teague and May 23 for Thomas.
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