An Illinois man is behind bars for sexual assault after allegedly abusing a child in his care for almost years, police say.
NBC 5 reports that from June 1, 2016, until April 1, 2018, an unnamed child was temporarily living with Kevin Tayon, 46, at a home in Pontoon. The child was 7 and 8 years old at the time, according to authorities.
The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office said that authorities didn’t learn about the alleged abuse until the child left Tayon’s home. The Madison County Child Advocacy Center conducted interviews with the child, along with Pontoon police, leading to Tayon’s arrest.
The relationship between the child and the suspect is unclear. It’s also unclear why the victim was in Tayon’s care, to begin with.
Tayon has been charged with five felony counts of “predatory criminal sexual assault against a child,” the outlet reports. Circuit Judge Kyle Napp set Tayon’s bond at $1,000,000 and ordered him to have no contact with the child.
“While there is nothing we can do to erase the memories of sexual abuse for child victims, it is the will of our office to seek the maximum penalty and ultimate justice for the young victims of these horrible crimes,” First Assistant Madison County State’s Attorney Crystal Uhe said.
If convicted, Tayson faces up to 60 years for each felony count.
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[Feature Photo: Kevin Tayon/Police Handout]
