Palatine High School teacher's aide charged with sharing child pornography, state's attorney says

PALATINE, Ill. (WLS) -- A north suburban teacher's aide has been charged with sharing child pornography online, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office said on Friday.

Bradley Robertson, a 41-year-old teacher's aide at Palatine High School, has been indicted on eight counts of reproduction of child pornography with a victim under 13 and possession of child pornography.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Investigators received a tip early this year about an account using child sexual abuse materials on Kik, an instant messaging app, according to court documents. Investigators executed search warrants to obtain the IP address, email address, phone number and home address of the suspected account, which was linked back to Robertson.

Authorities searched Robertson's home on June 17, seizing three laptops, according to court records. On the same day, Robertson voluntarily went to the Palatine Police Department, where he was taken into custody.

Investigators say they found at least three files of sexual abuse material depicting children under 13 on Robertson's phone.

Robertson allegedly used Kik to upload or share at least three files of sexual abuse material depicting children under the age of 13 and discussed sharing child sexual abuse images with other Kik users.

Robertson was ordered detained at his first court appearance on June 19 and remains in the Cook County Jail. Robertson was arraigned on July 28.

A spokesperson for Township High School District 211 issued a statement, saying, "The safety and security of our students is our top priority, and the values of trust, integrity and respect remain central at Palatine High School. We have been made aware of the situation, and this remains an open personnel investigation. The individual is incarcerated, and the District is reviewing his employment status."

Robertson's next court date is scheduled for Aug. 28.