Fairview Heights man charged with sexually abusing boy was his caregiver, police say
A Fairview Heights man who was charged in November with sexually assaulting a young boy was the boy’s caregiver, police say.
Robert A. Kassing, 57, was charged Nov. 20 with one count each of predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, charging documents from St. Clair County Court show.
On Nov. 17, Swansea police met with the victim’s father, who told them that Kassing had been assisting him with child care, a news release from the department stated.
According to police, the boy had confided in a relative that Kassing had entered the shower with him while Kassing was caring for him on Nov. 14. According to the charging documents, Kassing touched the boy in the genital area and on his backside during the incident.
Family members began researching Kassing and found that he was a registered sexual predator, police said. According to the Illinois State Police’s Sex Offender Registry, Kassing has previously been convicted of possessing child pornography and of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim ages 13-16.
Kassing’s bail was set at $1.75 million, and he remained in St. Clair County Jail on Monday morning.
Anyone with information about Kassing or possible other offenses can contact Detective Gary Reuter at the Swansea Police Department at 618-233-8114.
“We are asking for anyone that knows of a child being near this suspect to contact Det. Gary Reuter,” Police Chief Steve Johnson said in the news release. “The Swansea Police Department worked very hard on this heinous crime to gain some form of justice for this small child. It is an important reminder to always check the sex offender registry and know who is near your children. This father did not know.”
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