2 charged in assault of 11-year-old at sleepover

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share via Email
• Copy Link

  Link Copied

From NBC CHICAGO

Two men have been charged with sexually assaulting an 11-year-old at her classmate’s birthday sleepover over the weekend.

Steven Johnson, 19, of Lansing, and Daniel Rucker, 20, of Calumet City, were charged with predatory criminal sexual assault at the Johnson residence, according to Lansing police. It is considered a class X felony.

The party began Saturday evening with dancing and games until late in the evening. When the girls went upstairs for bed, an adult sent the 11-year-old downstairs to get blankets. In the basement, Johnson and Rucker sexually assaulted her, according to police.

“As a parent, you would never think something like this would take place at a 12-year-old’s birthday party,” Lansing Det. Sgt. Scott Bailey said in a news release. “What happened to this young girl is horrific!”

Police collected evidence from the basement and took Johnson into custody on Monday. Rucker was taken into custody on Tuesday. Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) was called.

Police are working with counseling agencies for the 11-year-old and her family.

Read more stories from NBC CHICAGO