Manuel P. Cazares, 1115 E. Algonquin Road, was arrested on June 29 and charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault, Arlington Heights police Sgt. Jeff Dufloth said. The charges stem from a June 11 incident, authorities said, but few details were released.
Dufloth did say authorities believe Cazares "inappropriately touched" the little girl. Given the nature of the crime and Cazares' age, the case was automatically transferred to adult court, he said.
Cazares made a brief appearance in court in Rolling Meadows on Wednesday for a pre-trial hearing, but his case was continued while prosecutors present their evidence to a grand jury.
"Charges this serious always go before a grand jury," said Assistant State's Attorney Ketki Steffan said. In cases with less serious charges, a judge hears the evidence from prosecutors and decides if those charges warrant a trial.
If prosecutors convince the grand jury that their case is strong, an indictment could be announced at Cazares' next court date July 17.
In the meantime, Judge Sam Amirante ordered that Cazares' $250,000 bond remain unchanged.
Dufloth said Arlington Heights police were alerted to the incident by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, which was contacted by a family member of the victim.
An investigation by DCFS and Arlington Heights authorities revealed only one incident, police said.
"This appears to be one isolated incident," Dufloth said.
Aggravated criminal sexual abuse is a felony punishable by six to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
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