3 Unnamed Children - 12-14 at time of abuse /Accused: Marlena Hammond - Lockport (N of Joliet) IL

Woman accused of sexually abusing children

Mar 10, 2011 10:01AM


Marlena Hammond, 38, of 502
Harvard in Lockport Township, is charged with six counts of aggravated
criminal sexual abuse of a minor.

JOLIET — A Lockport Township woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges she sexually abused three minors.

Marlena Hammond, 38, of 502 Harvard in Lockport Township, is charged with six counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a minor.

The charges concern multiple sex acts Hammond allegedly performed on the victims or forced them to perform on her. The alleged victims, who were between the ages of 12 and 14, are relatives and a minor frequently under Hammond’s care.

The investigation began May 28, when a family friend made a complaint to the Joliet Police Department because Hammond lived in Joliet at the time, Will County sheriff’s office spokesman Ken Kaupas said. The friend said one of the victims reported the alleged abuse.

“Illinois Department of Children and Family Services immediately took action to remove the children … to remove them from harm,” Kaupas said.

The subsequent investigation included the Joliet Police Department, DCFS and the Will County Child Advocacy Center, where the victims were interviewed by investigators.

The Will County Sheriff’s Department came on the scene when Hammond moved to Lockport Township. The investigation resulted in Hammond’s arrest Tuesday.

Hammond appeared via video link in Judge Marzell Richardson’s court Tuesday afternoon. She said little, answering only yes or no to Richardson’s questions. She was assigned a public defender and her bond was set at $750,000.

Aggravated criminal sexual abuse is a Class X felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Her next court appearance is March 29.