Lake County Gazette

A paraprofessional at Cyd Lash Academy has been arrested on charges of engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a student. Lake County Sheriff's deputies apprehended the suspect on February 5.

Sheriff John D. Idleburg said in a news release, "Children have the absolute right to be safe in the school environment and outside of school. The behavior of this paraprofessional is unconscionable and despicable. There is no doubt this behavior is condemned by the thousands of hard-working teachers and school staff from across the county. Our staff will continue our zero-tolerance policy for adults who victimize our most vulnerable."

According to the news release, the Lake County Sheriff's Office was informed on February 3 about a video showing a boy under 16 driving himself on a public roadway, with a voice identified as belonging to a Cyd Lash Academy paraprofessional heard from the passenger area. Deputies subsequently arrested Sandra J. Pardo, 38, residing in Grayslake.

The investigation revealed that Pardo had been spending time with the boy after school hours and was allegedly involved in an inappropriate relationship with him. The report indicates that she gave him a massage and kissed him during their time together in the previous week, as well as kissing him at school in October.

Idleburg's office further disclosed that after reviewing preliminary facts with sheriff's detectives, the Lake County State's Attorney's Office approved charges against Pardo: two counts of aggravated battery (kissing), aggravated battery (back massage), solicitation to meet a child, and child endangerment (allowing an unpermitted child to operate a vehicle).

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed. It is important to note that defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.