Former instructor gets 7 years for sexually assaulting student

A former fire safety instructor at a west suburban school district was sentenced to seven years in prison last week for sexually assaulting one of his students.

Glen C. Baum, 44, pleaded guilty to criminal sexual assault Thursday before Judge James C. Hallock, according to a statement from the Kane County state’s attorney’s office.

Baum, of the 500 block of Heritage Drive in Oswego, taught high school-aged students fire safety through a vocational career training program at Kaneland Unit District 302 schools in Maple Park, according to the statement.

Prosecutors allege he maintained a sexual relationship with the victim, who was younger than 18, between May 2014 and January 2015.

Authorities became aware of the relationship when the victim’s mother saw messages from Baum on the victim’s cellphone and notified police.

Judge Hallock sentenced Baum to seven years in prison, according to the statement. He will receive credit for 52 days served in the Kane County Jail, before he was released on a $25,000 bond.

In addition to the sentence, Baum will be required to register as a sex offender.