Naperville teacher’s aide charged with sexual abuse of student

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A former academic aide at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville faces aggravated criminal sexual abuse charges for having a sexual relationship with a student who graduated from the District 204 school in June, authorities said.

Deborah J. Cox, 58, of Naperville, was arrested Thursday after an investigation that began with a tip to Naperville police in August.

Police said the relationship between Cox and the student — for whom she had been an academic tutor for several years — took place between January and May of last year. They do not believe Cox was involved with any other students, or that any of the contact with the student took place on school grounds.

District 204 Supt. Kathy Birkett said Friday that Cox passed a background check before she was hired in 2001.

Cox is free on $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear April 4 in Will County Court, police said.