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Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Employees Charged with Child Sex Abuse
Assistant principal and paraprofessional accused of abusing multiple children unrelated to the school district
Published on Feb. 12, 2026
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Two employees of Evanston/Skokie School District 65 in Illinois, Carlos Mendez and Maribel Flores Hernandez, have been charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse of multiple children unrelated to the school district. Mendez, the assistant principal at Washington Elementary, and Flores Hernandez, a paraprofessional at the Joseph E. Hill Early Childhood Center, are accused of abusing the children through "grooming and coercion" over a nearly two-year period.
Why it matters
The allegations against Mendez and Flores Hernandez are deeply concerning, as they involve the abuse of minors by school district employees who were entrusted to care for and educate children. This case raises questions about the district's vetting and oversight processes, as well as the need for stronger safeguards to protect vulnerable students from predatory behavior by staff members.
The details
According to court documents, Mendez and Flores Hernandez are accused of sexually abusing four children who were not students in the Evanston/Skokie School District 65. The abuse is alleged to have occurred over a nearly two-year period through "the coordination of grooming and coercion." Mendez is also accused of abusing two other children who did not attend the school where he worked as an assistant principal. The abuse came to light when one of the victims, a 15-year-old girl, told her father, who then contacted the police and DCFS.
- In 2023, Mendez and Flores Hernandez allegedly approached a 13-year-old child about "becoming comfortable with people touching her."
- Between 2023 and 2025, Flores Hernandez and Mendez allegedly touched the girl inappropriately on multiple occasions.
- In October 2025, Mendez is accused of performing sexual acts on the child, who was then 15 years old.
- In June 2025, Mendez, a 13-year-old child, and Flores Hernandez went on a trip to Miami, where Mendez allegedly spoke to the child about learning to perform a sexual act and then engaged in sex acts with Flores Hernandez while the teen watched.
- After the Miami trip, Mendez continued to "harass" the child about what happened, and the child eventually told their mother out of fear.
The players
Carlos Mendez
The 51-year-old assistant principal at Washington Elementary in the Evanston/Skokie School District 65.
Maribel Flores Hernandez
The girlfriend of Carlos Mendez and a paraprofessional at the Joseph E. Hill Early Childhood Center in the Evanston/Skokie School District 65.
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow Mendez and Flores Hernandez to be released on bail.
The takeaway
This case highlights the critical need for rigorous background checks, ongoing monitoring, and strict policies to protect students from predatory behavior by school staff members. It also underscores the importance of creating a culture of transparency and accountability within educational institutions to ensure the safety and well-being of all children.
