Unit 5 School Board fires teacher despite dismissal of child molestation charges

Posted on December 10, 2020
Prosecutors said they dismissed the charges because of “unavailable witnesses.” (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – A long-time Unit 5 school teacher has been fired even though prosecutors earlier this year dismissed all child molestation charges against him.

Without discussion, the Unit 5 School Board Wednesday night voted unanimously to terminate Jonathon Hovey’s employment. However, Hovey does have the right to a formal dismissal hearing, and if he chooses that option, Hovey will be suspended without pay.

In September, the McLean County State’s Attorney’s office dropped all charges alleging he sexually molested two first-graders in his class when he taught at Glenn Elementary School in Normal.

Prosecutors said they dismissed the charges because of “unavailable witnesses.”

Hovey, 48 from Forsyth, was charged in August 2019 with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and six counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse alleging he inappropriately touched one of the children in 2004 and the other in 2017.

Prosecutors can refile the criminal charges.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected]. 

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