Crime & Safety
Supporters Pack Courtroom for Gaskill Hearing
Friends and family turn out to support River Forest foster parent Robert Gaskill, accused of sexual abuse.
In a show of solidarity and support, dozens of Robert Gaskill's friends and family stood silently as he entered a Cook County courtroom on Thursday. A bailiff sternly ordered them to sit back down.
Gaskill mouthed the words "I love you" to the gathered crowd before facing judge William Wise at a preliminary hearing at the Maybrook courthouse.
Earlier:
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A River Forest foster parent, child welfare advocate and former publishing executive, Gaskill, 63, was charged with two felony counts of predatory sexual assault of a child after two young women came forward accusing him of a 13-year pattern of abuse, authorities said.
He is expected to be indicted later this month, defense attorneys said prosecutors indicated in court.
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At Thursday's hearing, attorney Kelly Seago asked Wise for permission to send the jailed Gaskill a large-print Holy Bible and a pair of reading glasses. She also requested that he be removed from a holding cell and placed in a Cook County jail hospital for medical tests.
Gaskill is scheduled to next appear at the Maybrook courthouse on Feb. 24.
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