Former Queen of Martyrs Substitute Teacher Charged With Felony Sexual Abuse
A 43-year-old former substitute teacher, Brett Smith, has been charged with felony aggravated criminal sexual abuse following an investigation by the Orland Park Police Department. Smith, who was recently terminated from his position at Queen of Martyrs School in Evergreen Park, turned himself in to authorities on Wednesday. The investigation began after parents who hired Smith as a private tutor under the alias “BJ S. McAuliffe” became suspicious when a bank payment request identified him as Brett Smith. Detectives subsequently uncovered evidence alleged to show sexual contact between Smith and a juvenile during private tutoring sessions.
The Archdiocese of Chicago announced earlier this week that Smith had been fired after officials became aware of his history of prior allegations. Smith, who previously went by the name Brett Zagorac, pleaded guilty in 2017 to a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from accusations of inappropriate conduct with a student he was tutoring. Despite this history, the Archdiocese stated that Smith had passed state background and fingerprint checks when he was hired in 2024. He had worked at multiple Catholic schools in the region, including St. Walter-St. Benedict and Pope John Paul II, before his recent placement at Queen of Martyrs.
Smith is scheduled to appear at the Bridgeview Courthouse for a preliminary hearing regarding the new felony charges. While the allegations are severe, the legal system maintains that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Legal representation for Smith has not yet released a public statement regarding the specific defense strategy. The Archdiocese has confirmed it is cooperating fully with law enforcement and the Department of Children and Family Services as the investigation continues.
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