Authorities in Chicago say a former public school dean sexually assaulted an underage student for many years and also pretended to be her stepfather so she could get abortions, WTTW reported. Per Assistant State’s Attorney Kevin Deboni, Brian Crowder was a staff at the Greater Lawndale High School for Social Justice when he started sending the then 15-year-old student messages. That was in 2013.
Crowder is said to have made videos of himself and sent them to the girl on Snapchat. In one of the videos, the accused 40-year-old man told the underage student that he wanted her. Deboni also said Crowder kissed the underage student after he invited her to his home in 2013. On a different occasion, Crowder allegedly offered the girl alcohol and sexually assaulted her.
Deboni said the accused man had sexual intercourse with the girl about five to six times every month. In 2014, Crowder allegedly pretended to be the girl’s stepfather so she could get an abortion. He also repeated the same thing the following year. The female was a high school student at the time.
The student ultimately notified a teacher about the abuse. And though the teacher advised her to report Crowder, she did not notify authorities about the sexual abuse at the time. Crowder and the female victim ended their sexual relationship in 2015. But Crowder got in touch with her again in 2019.
The victim eventually notified the Chicago Police Department about the abuse in 2021. Crowder was initially arrested in March, but no charges were brought against him. He was, however, re-arrested on August 30 after police determined the relationship between the suspect and the victim was “sexual in nature.”
Crowder was also relieved of his duties after Chicago Public Schools launched an investigation into the alleged abuse.
“Brian Crowder has not worked at Social Justice since September of 2021 and was terminated by the district in November of 2021,” the principal at Greater Lawndale High School for Social Justice said.
“I know this is difficult news for our entire community, and our counselors, social workers, and psychologists are available for students who need support.”
