Washington, IL — A 43-year-old Illinois woman has been arrested after allegedly giving birth to a child fathered by a 14-year-old boy who once took her daughter to a junior high school dance she chaperoned.
According to court documents, Robyn Polston faces two counts of criminal sexual assault involving a victim between 13 and 17 years old and two counts of possession of child pornography. Each charge carries a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years.
Investigation Launched After Birth of Child
The allegations first surfaced in January 2025, when Tazewell County prosecutors received a report about Polston after she gave birth to a newborn. Investigators obtained the child’s birth certificate, which revealed the baby shared the same middle and last name as the alleged teenage victim.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, when confronted with the information, Polston claimed the baby’s father was “a man in his twenties named Brian,” whom she had not seen since the child’s birth.
Relationship Traced Back to Junior High School Dance
The investigation revealed that Polston first met the alleged victim — a 14-year-old boy — in May 2023, when he attended a junior high school dance with Polston’s daughter. Polston served as a chaperone at that event.
“The relationship began after the dance and continued for months,” investigators wrote in the affidavit.
The boy later moved away but returned to the area in April 2024, roughly 40 weeks before Polston gave birth. He visited again in June and permanently relocated to live with a family friend in August 2024, during which time contact between him and Polston allegedly resumed.
DNA Evidence Confirms Teen Father
Detectives obtained a DNA test, which confirmed that Polston and the teenager were the biological parents of the newborn. Authorities also discovered numerous sexually explicit images and videos depicting Polston and the victim.
“Investigators discovered a large number of sexually explicit images and videos depicting [the victim] and Polston,” the affidavit stated.
Prosecutors allege that the sexual encounters occurred on multiple occasions while Polston was in a position of trust and authority over the boy.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Polston was arrested earlier this week and is currently being held without bail in Tazewell County. She has not yet entered a plea and is scheduled to be formally arraigned on December 4.
“The evidence in this case, including the DNA confirmation and explicit digital material, leaves little doubt about the nature of the offenses,” Assistant State’s Attorney Cassandra Wilkins wrote in the affidavit.
Public Reaction and Legal Implications
The case has sparked outrage among parents and community members, with many calling for stricter monitoring of school personnel and parent volunteers. Legal experts say that if convicted, Polston could face decades in prison and mandatory sex offender registration.
Authorities continue to review electronic evidence to determine whether additional charges may be filed.
Polston remains in custody as the investigation expands to determine whether any other minors were affected.
What are your thoughts on this disturbing case and how schools can better safeguard minors in trusted environments? Share your views in the comments below.
