Sally Glaser, 63, a 25-year veteran of Lake County schools has been charged with sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, a felony. If convicted she faces up to 16 years in prison.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office

A 25-year veteran of Lake County schools is charged with felony sexual assault on a child.

The preschool teacher, Sally Glaser, 63, is accused of sexual assault on a 4-year old child. Glaser has not yet entered a plea, but made her first court appearance earlier this week. She told Judge Jonathan Shamis that she doesn’t understand why she is being charged, according to media reports.

“I’ve never done anything to hurt this little girl,” Glaser said during that first court appearance.

The alleged victim’s mother said in a letter to the court that they “live in constant fear.”

“This is a parent’s worst nightmare,” the victim’s mother wrote.

In a letter to parents, Lake County Schools Superintendent Wendy Wyman said it is “a very upsetting situation.”

“We know that the trust between parents and schools, and children and teachers is sacred, and we do everything in our power to uphold this trust,” Wyman wrote.

The allegation surfaced March 11 when the Lake County school district was notified by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office that a preschool teacher may have had “improper contact with a student,” Wyman’s letter said.

Glaser was immediately placed on administrative leave.

After an investigation, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office filed two felony charges against Glaser, topped by sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, and sexual assault on a child. She also is charged with two misdemeanors: unlawful sexual contact and child abuse.

Judge Shamis set Glaser’s bond at $25,000.

Glaser is back in Lake County District Court at 2 p.m. April 18.

If she’s convicted, she faces between three and 16 years in prison.