Iowa woman facing sexual assault charges after arrest on Chaddock campus in Carthage

CARTHAGE, Ill. — A Fort Madison, Iowa, woman is facing sexual assault charges in her role as a local school paraprofessional.

The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office took a report on Nov. 17 that led to allegations of sexual assault of a juvenile having occurred at the Chaddock Special Education School on the Carthage campus. 

The Carthage Police Department and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department then began a joint investigation after a forensic interview was conducted at the Child Advocacy Center in Galesburg. 

The suspect was identified as Madeline H. Stewart, 27. She was formally interviewed at the Carthage campus and then taken into custody on Wednesday, Nov. 29. Stewart faces several counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and aggravated criminal sexual assault. Further charges are pending. 

A search warrant for electronic media was issued. The Macomb Police Department is assisting with that search.