Lisle woman charged with having sex with Plainfield N. student

A judge set a $75,000 bail Wednesday for a Plainfield North High School teacher from Lisle who is accused of having sex with a 16-year-old student.

Ashley Blumenshine, 27, was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse. If convicted, she faces probation or three to seven years in prison, authorities said.

Blumenshine was arrested shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday after police discovered her and the male student in a vehicle behind Kohl's, 11860 S. Route 59, in Plainfield. Police said the two had sexual contact just before officers arrived and saw their vehicles parked suspiciously at the end of the parking lot.

"He was not her student, but they became acquainted through seeing each other at the school," Plainfield Police Chief Bill Doster said.

School district officials said Blumenshine has taught physical education at North since 2006. Before that, she student-taught health and physical education for about a year at Plainfield South High School.

District spokesman Tom Hernandez said school officials were informed of the arrest early Wednesday and will take appropriate action when Blumenshine is released from custody.

Meanwhile, he said, the district is cooperating with authorities and offering counseling to students.

"Our primary concern is for the safety and well-being of our students," Hernandez said.

Blumenshine is scheduled to appear Jan. 26 in front of Judge Richard Schoenstedt for a preliminary hearing or arraignment. Will County officials said Blumenshine's family had posted the required $7,500 bond, 10 percent of the bail amount, which will allow her to go free while her case is pending.

A judge has ordered that Blumenshine have no contact with students at North and no contact with minors who aren't related to her.

School officials said a substitute has assumed her teaching duties.