Incidents allegedly involved two Jordan Baptist students
Shannon Griffin, 49, of Oak Lawn, a teacher at Jordan Baptist School, was taken into custody Monday after a monthslong investigation, according to the sheriff’s office. Investigators allege that Griffin “engaged in sexual conduct” with a male underage student who was enrolled at the school, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
Griffin is also charged with sending nude pictures and videos of herself to that minor and another juvenile at the school, both males, and asking the minors to send her images, according to the sheriff’s office.
The alleged conduct began in 2013 and continued until March of this year, police said.
Griffin, who is also charged with distribution of harmful materials and grooming, is expected to appear in bond court on Wednesday.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing and asks that anyone with further information call 708-865-4720.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services also has an ongoing investigation into “multiple allegations of abuse” involving Griffin and alleged contact with students, agency spokesman Jassen Strokosch said.
The investigation began in early March when the Burbank Police Department received an anonymous tip, according to Burbank police records obtained through a public records request. The tipster also told police that the school pastor, who is married to Griffin, and the principal were made aware about the inappropriate videos and images, according to the police records.
No one could immediately be reached Tuesday at the school or church, or at numbers associated with Griffin or her husband.
The Cook County sheriff’s office took over the investigation in May because of jurisdictional questions that arose in the case. Burbank detectives identified a potential victim, a high school junior, who authorities said received images while at his Chicago home one day after school last year, according to police documents.
During an interview with detectives, the student said that a female teacher sent images and videos showing a woman “removing her clothing and exposing her breasts and vagina,” according to Burbank police records. The student also gave police a Samsung Galaxy tablet, which he said he used to make copies of the messages, the police records indicate.
Burbank detectives who reviewed the messages noted the images did not show “a visible head or face of the female,” according to Burbank police reports.
Jordan Baptist offers classes starting at the pre-kindergarten level through high school and was founded in 1992, according to its website. The school is located in Jordan Baptist Church at 5040 W. 87th Street.
There were about 100 students enrolled in the school in the 2012-13 school year, according to the most recent data reported to the Illinois State Board of Education. The school website says it offers “a first class, Christ-centered education” by teachers who have “indicated their desire to serve God full-time.”
Sandy Cabrera, whose daughters previously attended Jordan Baptist, said she was relieved an arrest was made in the case but feels that her trust in the school has been violated.
“I’m glad that they’ve finally decided to do something about this so it doesn’t happen to other children,” Cabrera said. “You pay tuition to put your kids in private education … to protect them.”
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