Mario Garcia faces 11 felony counts after authorities said five Currier Elementary students reported inappropriate sexual contact.
CHICAGO, IL — A former third grade teacher at Currier Elementary School has been charged with sexually abusing five students during the 2025-26 school year, with a DuPage County judge ordering him held before trial, authorities said.
Mario Garcia, 54, of Aurora, faces two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, five counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and four counts of aggravated battery. The predatory assault charges are Class X felonies, the aggravated sexual abuse charges are Class 1 felonies and the aggravated battery charges are Class 3 felonies, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The investigation began May 14, when officials at Currier Elementary School notified the West Chicago Police Department and the DuPage County Children’s Center that a third grade teacher had allegedly touched several students inappropriately. Investigators later identified Garcia as a suspect. Prosecutors allege he had inappropriate sexual contact with five students on multiple occasions during the school year. Authorities have not publicly identified the students, and reporting on the case has withheld details that could identify the children.
Garcia appeared in First Appearance Court on Aug. 7. Judge Joshua Dieden granted prosecutors’ request to detain him before trial. The charges are allegations and do not establish guilt. Garcia is presumed innocent unless prosecutors prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
West Chicago Elementary School District 33 said it acted as soon as concerns about Garcia were reported. The district removed him from contact with students, contacted law enforcement and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and later terminated his employment. District officials said Garcia had passed the state and federal background checks, educator license verification and employment-history reviews required as part of the hiring process.
Superintendent Kristina Davis told families and staff that the district’s priority was supporting students, families and employees affected by the allegations. She also praised the students who reported the concerns, saying their actions showed the importance of making sure children know how to report troubling behavior to trusted adults.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin described the allegations as extremely disturbing and said prosecutors allege Garcia used the trust and authority that came with his position as a teacher. Berlin also credited Currier Elementary and District 33 officials with promptly reporting the allegations and cooperating with investigators.
West Chicago Police Chief Colin Fleury said the allegations were deeply concerning because of the trust communities place in people who work with children. He said the school’s prompt notification allowed police to begin investigating immediately and credited the DuPage County Children’s Center and prosecutors for their work on the case.
The investigation involved West Chicago police and the DuPage County Children’s Center, which authorities described as conducting a child-sensitive investigation. Officials have not publicly released additional information about the students or detailed the evidence underlying each charge. No trial date has been announced.
Garcia remains in custody following the judge’s detention order. His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 31 before Judge Ann Celine Walsh, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Author note: Last updated August 8, 2026.