Former Northwest Chicago Teacher Charged with Sexual Abuse

A former Chicago school teacher has been charged with childhood sexual abuse for allegedly assaulting four different former students at a Northwest side school. The teacher. 34 year old Eliza Marinelli, now faces four counts of criminal sexual assault. Bail for Martinelli has reportedly been set at 1.5 million dollars. Chicago Police have indicated that the crimes were not reported until April of this year. Her brother, 27 year old Nelson Quintana, has also been charged with one count of misdemeanor criminal sexual abuse involving another student.

The acts of childhood sexual abuse allegedly occurred from 1998 through 2007 while Martinelli was a teacher at the Dayspring Christian Academy at 5133 W. Fullerton Ave. All of the alleged victims were students of the Dayspring Academy and members of the neighboring Dayspring Church where Martinelli’s father is a pastor. Her father is reportedly listed as the principal on the school’s online directory. The alleged sexual abuse victims include a 15 year old girl whom she is accused of abusing from 1998 through 2001, a 15 year old girl and her brother whom she is accused of abusing for about a year beginning in March of 2003, and a 14 year old girl who was a student of Martinelli in both 6th and 8th grades whom she is accused of abusing up through March of 2007. Martinelli has been accused of telling sexy stories, plying teens with alcohol, and performing sexual acts on the victims.

Victims of childhood sexual abuse can often bring civil claims even when the abuse occurred years ago. To speak with an experienced Chicago sexual abuse attorney, please click here.