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Sex offender pleads guilty to touching 13-year-old
Kevin Mattix
Updated: September 3, 2012 12:32PM
ELMWOOD PARK — An Elmwood Park family didn’t give up on pressing battery charges against a pedophile who grabbed at a girl while she was walking down a local street.
And that perseverance paid off.
Kevin R. Mattix, 23, of Des Plaines, pleaded guilty to one charge of battery on July 23 in Maybrook Court. He awaits sentencing.
Mattix, a registered sex offender, was arrested last year for allegedly inappropriately touching three 13-year-old girls on three separate incidents Aug. 15-20, 2011, in Elmwood Park. Two of the cases were dropped.
Elmwood Park Police Chief Frank Fagiano applauded the victim and her family for attending each of the court hearings.
“I compliment them, they kept going to court,” he said.
If they hadn’t, Fagiano said, the outcome could have been different.
He also credits Detective Mark Astrella and Sgt. Glenn Mieszala. “They did a really outstanding job,” he said.
The mother of the victim said they appeared in court four times over the past year.
“The first couple (hearings) were a little awkward,” the mother said. “Her girlfriends were also subpoenaed.”
She said when Mattix appeared in court he never showed any emotion although he knew they were there. She and her family weren’t intimidated.
“It was definitely all of us wanting to be there.
“Being a parent I’d hate for this to escalate and happen to another child,” she said. “We were always complimented for our court appearances and sticking it out so long.”
The last court appearance made it worthwhile.
“We were happy that it finally came to an end and finally he was able to admit the guilt,” she said.
She said her daughter is happy it’s over and has learned a lesson at the same time. “You can see the kids are more aware of their surroundings,” she said.
The mother has no regrets about the time spent to help ensure a conviction.
“We really didn’t give it a second thought,” she said. “It’s good to show our children to stand up for what’s right.”
