A Carpentersville man who taught at The Learning Tree in Elgin has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two of his students, according to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Frank R. Walaitis, 58, of the 200 block of West Main Street, is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 8 after agreeing to plead guilty to five felony counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in a deal accepted by Judge John A. Barsanti.
Prosecutors said the incidents occurred between December 2008 and July 2022.
The Learning Tree where Walaitis taught is at 2325 Royal Blvd., one of two locations in Elgin. It’s a franchise day care/preschool early education facility that also offers after-school care for children up to age 11, its website says. Locally, there are also locations in Huntley and Algonquin.
State law mandates Walaitis register for life as a sexual offender as a result of his guilty plea.
The investigation was conducted by the Kane County Child Advocacy Center with assistance from the Elgin Police Department, the release said.
Anyone with additional information about Walaitis is asked to call detective Nick Kozicki at 630-444-3184.