WHEATON, Illinois—A suburban Chicago man convicted in the drug-induced death of a Spanish foreign exchange student has been sentenced to 24 years in prison. Prosecutors sought a 27-year sentence, while Emanuele’s attorneys asked for 11 years.
DuPage County Judge Liam Brennan sentenced 38-year-old Francis Emanuele of Downers Grove to 20 years behind bars on Feb. 22, for the drug-induced homicide of the 15-year-old girl, and four years for indecent solicitation of a child.
Francis Emanuele, 38, of Downers Grove, pleaded guilty Monday to causing the drug overdose death of a 15-year-old foreign exchange student, DuPage County prosecutors said. https://t.co/N83kS5qUgp pic.twitter.com/VI9elAoLty
— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) November 5, 2018
Prosecutors said the student fell ill and was later found not breathing in her bed by the girl’s host parents, on May 3, 2016.
The host parents immediately called the police, who started an investigation into her death.
Investigators found an oral syringe with methadone in her bedroom and determined Emanuele gave her the drug.
Investigators later found half the label of the prescription bottle removed. The missing part was found in Emanuele’s car.
Emanuele, who used to be a heroin addict, told the student to take some of his methadone, so she could fake being sick and spend the next day with him.
The girl met Emanuele because she was friends with another foreign exchange student who was living with Emanuele’s family. Emanuele is married and has two young daughters.
The investigation also revealed the two had exchanged sexually explicit text messages.
Emanuele pleaded guilty to drug-induced homicide and indecent solicitation of a child in November 2018.
“As a result of Mr. Emanuele’s actions, the promising life of a young girl came to a tragic end at the tender age of fifteen,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a written statement.
Robert Berlin (cq) hugs his wife Carolyn after he sworn in as the new DuPage County State's Attorney at the county board…
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Teacher Accused of Raping 15-Year-Old Student
Another incident involving a minor occurred in Wedowee, Alabama, where a high school math teacher is accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student.
(Randolph County Sheriff’s Office)
Al.com reported on Feb. 13, that 30-year-old David Brenton Burkhalter has been arrested on charges including second-degree rape and sodomy. Wedowee police say they learned of allegations against the Randolph County High School algebra and geometry teacher last week. It’s unclear who reported the allegations to authorities.
Police say a multi-agency investigation determined the allegations were credible, and charging documents say the female student was raped by Burkhalter as recently as last month.
Burkhalter was being held at the Randolph County Jail. His bail has been set at $1 million. Court records do not show whether Burkhalter has a lawyer to speak on his behalf.
— Trish M✝️???????? (@TrishM6190) February 14, 2019
Alabama math teacher accused of raping 15-year-old student https://t.co/NIjp3bw2iV pic.twitter.com/V4igt9ovwG
— New York Post (@nypost) February 14, 2019
