Sex abuse case: Probation for school health assistant
JOLIET -- Laura J. Obzera, a former Valley View School District employee, who admitted she had sexual contact with a teenage boy, was sentenced Wednesday to 48 months of probation.
Obzera, 50, of 876 Bonnie Brae Lane in Bolingbrook must register as a sex offender for life, according to Charles Pelkie, a spokesman for the Will County state's attorney's office.
The sentence also requires Obzera to pay for counseling for any juvenile victim who seeks it, and she can't live near a school or park or other places where children gather, Pelkie said.
The state's attorney's office had asked for prison time for Obzera, he added. She was sentenced by Will County Judge Dan Rozak.
Obzera, who had no previous arrests or convictions, pleaded guilty July 10 in Will County Circuit Court to a charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
She worked as a health assistant at Wood View Elementary School, 197 Winston Drive in Bolingbrook, until she resigned in September 2008, shortly after her arrest.
Police subsequently interviewed Obzera and three teenage boys. Obzera was arrested Sept. 11 and charged with three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, one involving each of the youths. The abuse occurred in 2006, authorities said.
Ross said last summer police did not believe the abuse occurred on school property or that Obzera met her victims through her nursing work.
Two of the criminal charges were dismissed in exchange for Obzera's guilty plea, according to court records.
When school officials learned of the allegations, the district immediately put her on administrative leave.
Obzera had been an employee since 2001.
