Man Accused of Attacking Child Is A Former Village Employee

The man accused of attacking a child last month

Michael T. Kelly, 54, was charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery after until other nearby adults ran to her rescue on Aug. 29.

reports reported the girl’s age as 12, but Cook County court records indicate the girl is 14.

Kelly worked for the village for over 30 years until he retired five or six years ago. His former co-workers are shocked he would be accused of attacking a child.

“He was a great guy,” Steve Barrett said, public works director for the village. “We don’t know what happened.”

Kelly worked in the village’s maintenance department where he was responsible for maintaining the village’s fleet of police squad cars, public works vehicles and other village-owned vehicles.

Barrett said he became Kelly’s supervisor in the later years of Kelly’s time working for the village. Kelly was considered to be a “good employee.”

Judge Peter Felice set bail for Kelly at $50,000. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s office did not know if Kelly had posted bond.

Kelly appeared in court on Monday, where he was indicted on two counts of battery after a finding of probable cause. His next court appearance is set for Oct. 12 in Bridgeview.