A now-former juvenile counselor for Lake County Circuit Court has been arrested for allegedly sending nude photos of herself to a child she met while he was in county custody.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said detectives became aware that Bayleigh Hoyt, 28, of Buffalo Grove, engaged a 17-year-old boy in inappropriate text message conversations and sent the boy lewd photos.
Hoyt was employed by the 19th Judicial Circuit Court as a juvenile counselor from November 2019 to January 2023.
Covelli said Hoyt met the 17-year-old while he was in custody at Robert Depke Juvenile Complex Center in Vernon Hills where she worked.
The juvenile was discharged from the facility and the two reportedly began communicating with each other.
Hoyt began having lewd conversations with the boy and sent the boy nude photos of herself, Covelli said.
Covelli said Hoyt encouraged the boy to delete messages and photos because she did not want to get caught before resigning.
Hoyt resigned from the juvenile facility before law enforcement became aware of the situation.
Sheriff’s detectives conducted an investigation and reviewed the facts and circumstances of the incident with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The state’s attorney’s office approved the charges of official misconduct, a Class 3 felony, and distributing harmful material, a Class 4 felony.
An arrest warrant was drafted on Tuesday and approved by a Lake County judge.
According to Hoyt’s LinkedIn profile, she began working as a paraprofessional at North Shore School District 112 in Highland Park this month.
Her profile also said she previously worked as a program associate at North Chicago Community Partners from January 2023 until this month.
Sheriff’s detectives arrested Hoyt at her place of employment in Highland Park on Tuesday without incident, Covelli said.
A spokesperson for District 112 said Hoyt is no longer allowed on district property and has been placed on leave.
While she was working for the district beginning last week, her job was contingent on formal approval from the Board of Education, which has not occurred yet.
Hoyt remains held in the Lake County Jail pending a First Appearance Court hearing.