February 25, 2026
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Bloomingdale Director of Public Safety Frank Giammarese announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to detain pre-trial a health care facility employee charged with sexually assaulting a physically and intellectually disabled resident at the Alden Village health care facility located in Bloomingdale. Miguel Palacios, 26 (d.o.b. 12/13/1999) of the 15000 block of Carse Avenue, Harvey, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault (Class X Felony) and one count of Unlawful Restraint (Class 4 Felony).
On February 24, 2026, at approximately 10:30 p.m., the Bloomingdale Police Department dispatched officers to Alden Village, located at 267 E. Lake Street, for a call of a sexual assault in progress. Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that Palacios, a CNA at the facility, sexually assaulted the victim, a non-verbal, male with intellectual and physical disabilities including quadriplegia, while the victim was in his bed. The alleged assault was discovered when another employee heard noises coming from the room and went in to check on the residents.
“The allegations in this case are extremely disturbing,” Berlin said. “Sexual crimes are, by their very nature, among the worst of crimes, leaving victims to suffer not only at the time of the assault but for many years to come. Instead of providing care and comfort to the victim, as he was entrusted to do, it is alleged that Mr. Palacios sexually assaulted him. I want to stress however, that the allegations against Mr. Palacios rest squarely on his shoulders and are not indicative of the staff at Alden Village who tend to the residents’ needs with professionalism and kindness day in and day out. I thank the Bloomingdale Police Department for their outstanding work on this very upsetting case as well as authorities at Alden Village for their cooperation. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorney Cathy Nusgart for her efforts in securing charges against Mr. Palacios.”
“I would like to recognize my staff as well as State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his team,” Giammarese said. “The relationship between medical care professionals and patients is imperative and the safety of patients is the ultimate objective. We have great sadness for the victim and his family.”
Palacios’ next scheduled court appearance is scheduled for March 23, 2026, in front of Judge Brian Telander. If found guilty he faces a penalty between six to thirty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
