Ex-School Dean Entices 15-Year-Old Then Poses As Parent To Sign For Abortions

The former dean of a Chicago public high school is now facing felony charges related to a sexual relationship with a teenage student.

Brian Crowder was the dean at Greater Lawndale High School for Social Justice in 2013 when he enticed a 15-year-old girl into a relationship. Prosecutors say it started with then, 40-year-old Crowder sending the student messages over Snapchat, which led to them having a sexual relationship for two years.

“Brian Crowder has not worked at Social Justice since September of 2021 and was terminated by the district in November of 2021,” school principal Omar Chilous said in a letter sent out to families on Wednesday. “I know this is difficult news for our entire community, and our counselors, social workers, and psychologists are available for students who need support.”

Prosecutors say the two had sex multiple times a month between 2013 and 2015. In 2014, the teen became pregnant and Crowder posed as her stepfather in order to sign a consent form for her to obtain an abortion. This happened again the following year.

Prosecutors say the victim told a teacher what was going on in 2015, but the police were not contacted at that time. 

The relationship ended in 2015, but Crowder contacted the former student in 2019, even attempting to contact her at her job. The victim filed a report with Chicago police in September 2021 and the school immediately fired Crowder and started an investigation according to prosecutors.