Chicago doctor charged in hotel pool assault of disabled teen
A 33-year-old suburban physician is behind bars following a disturbing series of charges alleging he attacked a disabled teenage boy inside a hotel bathroom, the Daily Caller reported.
Dr. Trevor J. Roston, formerly employed as a hospitalist at Advocate Sherman Hospital, is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy with physical and intellectual disabilities at a hotel in Elgin, Illinois, on Nov. 29.
According to authorities from the Kane County State's Attorney’s Office, the incident occurred in a single-use poolside bathroom at the hotel where both the accused and the victim were guests. The boy, whose IQ is reportedly 55 and who also has a stutter and a physical disability, was allegedly followed into the restroom by Roston.
Officials Allege a Calculated Attack Inside Hotel Bathroom
The state’s attorney says once inside the bathroom, Roston allegedly locked the door behind them, unlawfully restrained the minor, and carried out the sexual assault. Prosecutors emphasized that the location—a public pool area—factored heavily in the judge’s decision to detain the suspect pretrial.
The victim and Roston had not known each other before the incident, according to investigators. No prior connection has been established between them, and law enforcement believes their contact was random.
Roston was officially charged with a total of nine counts on Dec. 16, in relation to the assault. These include one count of aggravated criminal sexual assault (a Class X felony), one count of criminal sexual assault (Class 1 felony), one count of unlawful restraint (Class 4 felony), four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse (Class 2 felony), and two counts of sexual exploitation of a child (Class A misdemeanor).
Doctor’s Background Comes Under Scrutiny
At the time of the incident, Roston was employed at Advocate Sherman Hospital as an adult hospitalist. Though trained in pediatric medicine, hospital officials confirm he did not treat children at the facility. His background in pediatrics has added an extra layer of concern within the community, though no further allegations have been reported at this time.
Following the filing of charges, Advocate Sherman Hospital immediately terminated Roston’s employment. In a statement, the hospital described the situation as deeply disturbing and emphasized that all further inquiries should be directed to law enforcement.
“We are deeply disturbed by the charges filed against a former employee," the hospital spokesperson said. "Out of respect for the ongoing investigation, all inquiries should be directed to law enforcement.”
Judge Orders Pretrial Detention, Deems Suspect a Public Threat
Roston appeared in court on Dec. 15 for a pretrial detention hearing. The presiding judge agreed with the prosecution that Roston posed a public danger due to the nature and location of the alleged offense, which took place in a shared area of the hotel accessible to guests.
He has been booked into the Kane County Jail and will remain in custody as his case moves through the legal system. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 29, when additional details about the progression of the case are expected to be presented.
The Daily Caller attempted to reach both Advocate Sherman Hospital and the Kane County State’s Attorney's Office, but neither returned requests for comment at the time of publication.
Lessons to Learn
1. Always accompany vulnerable individuals in public spaces: For caregivers of children or individuals with disabilities, it's critical to provide supervision in shared facilities like hotels or community centers. This is especially important in secluded areas such as locker rooms or single-use restrooms.
2. Understand who is in the vicinity: Just because a facility is considered safe doesn’t mean everyone in it has good intentions. Be aware of unfamiliar adults who may try to quickly engage or isolate minors, and do not hesitate to report suspicious behavior to hotel staff or police.
3. Remember that responsibility lies with offenders, not victims: No matter what preventative measures are taken, crime can happen anywhere and to anyone. It's never the victim’s fault, particularly when the victim is a person with disabilities and the accused is in a position of power or trust.
Why This Story Matters
This story raises deep concerns about the safety of vulnerable individuals in public spaces and the abuse of authority by professionals entrusted with public trust. The community is rightfully shaken by the allegations, especially given the involvement of a healthcare provider. Continued awareness and institutional accountability are necessary to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
Conclusion
Dr. Trevor J. Roston, formerly a hospitalist at Advocate Sherman Hospital, is in custody after being charged with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy with intellectual and physical disabilities inside an Elgin hotel bathroom on Nov. 29. Authorities say Roston followed the minor into the restroom, locked the door, and committed the assault, resulting in multiple felony and misdemeanor charges. The hospital acted quickly to terminate his employment, while a judge ordered his pretrial detention, finding he posed a threat to public safety. The next court hearing is set for Dec. 29, as the community awaits more details surrounding this deeply troubling case.
