Evanston School Employees Charged with Sex Crimes Against Their Children

Assistant principal and paraprofessional accused of assaulting their own teenage children

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Two employees of Evanston School District 65 have been charged with criminal sexual assault and abuse of their own teenage children. Carlos Mendez, the assistant principal at Washington Elementary, and his girlfriend Maribel Flores Hernandez, a paraprofessional at Hill Early Childhood Center, are accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting Hernandez's daughter over a two-year period. The pair also faces warrants out of Florida for allegedly abusing Mendez's 13-year-old son.

Why it matters

The allegations against the two school employees have shaken the Evanston community, raising concerns about the safety of children and the trust placed in educational institutions. The case highlights the importance of thorough background checks and ongoing monitoring to prevent such abuses from occurring.

The details

Prosecutors say Mendez and Hernandez repeatedly sexually assaulted Hernandez's teenage daughter over a period of more than two years. The couple is also wanted on warrants out of Florida for allegedly abusing Mendez's 13-year-old son. Both Mendez and Hernandez have been charged with criminal sexual assault of a family member under the age of 18 and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

  • The alleged abuse of Hernandez's daughter lasted for more than two years.
  • Mendez has been on leave from Washington Elementary since October of last year.
  • Hernandez has been on leave from Hill Early Childhood Center since January 16th.

The players

Carlos Mendez

The assistant principal at Washington Elementary School in Evanston, Illinois.

Maribel Flores Hernandez

A paraprofessional at Hill Early Childhood Center in Evanston, Illinois, and the girlfriend of Carlos Mendez.

Hernandez's teenage daughter

The victim of the alleged sexual assaults by Mendez and Hernandez.

Mendez's 13-year-old son

The victim of the alleged sexual abuse by Mendez and Hernandez in Florida.

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What they’re saying

“The safety and wellbeing of our community remains our highest priority. While these allegations are deeply concerning, this is a personnel matter and we are unable to share additional details at this time.”

— Evanston School District 65 (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Mendez and Hernandez to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case underscores the critical need for thorough background checks and ongoing monitoring of school employees to protect vulnerable children. It also raises questions about the school district's response and transparency in handling such serious allegations.