Minooka man, 74, accused of abusing three young girls
By BRIAN STANLEY bstanley@stmedianetwork.com November 7, 2012 4:20PM
Updated: December 9, 2012 7:38PM
A 74-year-old man has been accused of sexually abusing three young girls.
Gerald P. Klein, of 23833 S. Cottonwood Lane near Minooka, was arrested Nov. 1 on one count of predatory criminal sexual assault and three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a family member.
Will County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer said in 2008 a then-
8-year-old girl told her mother Klein had touched her inappropriately the year before.
“The mother had gotten a call from another relative with a daughter the same age who made similar allegations and she decided to notify the police,” Hoffmeyer said.
After both girls were given victim-sensitive interviews, investigators felt there was not enough evidence to pursue charges at the time.
But two months ago, the mother contacted police with new information.
“Her daughter said she had been scared about what would happen when she was younger, but relayed several sexual incidents that occurred between January and August 2007,” Hoffmeyer said. “As the investigation reopened, an adult relative said she had been sexually abused by Klein when she was a child.”
Klein was released from the county jail Tuesday after posting 10 percent of his $750,000 bond.
