A Forest Park man who works at a Park Ridge school for students with special needs has been charged with sexual abuse of a girl by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office, court records show; they also indicate the alleged crime did not take place at the school.
A complaint dated May 23 states that Anthony Meza was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse after he allegedly “committed an act of sexual conduct with [a girl], who was under 18 years of age when the act was committed.”
The alleged crime took place in Des Plaines, according to a complaint presented in court, and the victim was not a student at the school.
Meza, 32, works as a support staff member at the Jeanine Schultz School, a private therapeutic day school on the 2100 block of Oakton Street in Park Ridge providing “individual, emotional and educational support for children with exceptional needs,” according to its website.
Meza has worked at the school since 2021. Schultz School Executive Director Michael Biskupski said that if Meza or a family member posts bond and Meza is released, the school will allow him to return to work.
Biskupski said he submitted an affidavit to Cook County Circuit Court Judge Anthony Calabrese regarding Meza’s case.
“I said he was a very reliable employee, very nurturing, very supportive of the kids,” he said. “The kids we serve are severely emotionally disabled. He’s been a standout staff member.”
Calabrese set a bond amount of $250,000, court records show.
Support staff members “assist a teacher in academic and emotional enrichment for all of our kids,” Biskupski said. The school will not be putting out a statement regarding the charges, he said.
Calabrese ordered Meza not to have contact with two specified individuals and prohibited him from possessing a firearm or other dangerous weapon, court records show.
Meza’s next court date is June 8 at the Skokie courthouse.