Illinois: Playhouse vandalism possible hate crime

ELWOOD -- A small plastic playhouse in the back of a large yard in the Noel Estates subdivision was the scene of the crime.

Police are still investigating and are considering whether or not it is a simple case of criminal trespassing and criminal damage to property or a hate crime.

Kelli Outlaw owns the two-story brick home on the large lot in the usually quiet rural subdivision along Noel Road. She is the white, single mom of a 13-year-old biracial daughter.

The windows to the playhouse were kicked in and the words Gay, White Power as well as a version of a portion of her daughter's name with a racial epithet attached were sprawled over the outside.

Her daughter's friend was one of eight youths, ages 13 to 17, who were later determined to have been involved. A cell phone belonging to one of the girls was found inside the damaged playhouse. A flagpole and a surf board also were damaged.

"She told a teacher about it and all the teacher did was tell her to just deal with it," Outlaw said. "My daughter was also called a Mexican lesbian at school."

Outlaw claims the problems started at the school and were allowed to escalate into what happened in her yard.

Outlaw moved to Elwood from Joliet two years ago because she was drawn to the peace and quiet of the area. It is a move she now regrets.

Outlaw said she went and talked to school officials about the possibility of having an assembly on racism. She said her request was denied.

Outlaw said she will press charges so the other youths involved will learn that there are consequences for their actions. One of the mothers involved has already requested she drop the matter so her son will not have a police record.

"He admitted to kicking in the windows and said the girls were responsible for the writing," Outlaw said. "It was his decision to be involved and he did nothing to stop what happened. These kids need to learn they cannot get away with these things. If something is not done now things will get worse."

Superintendent Ron Kanzulak said the school has zero tolerance for racial slurs and when aware of problems, they are handled with extreme severity.

Pat Barry, spokesman for the Will County Sheriff's Department, said the matter remains under investigation.

"We are taking this very seriously," Barry said. "We have identified the youths involved and are determining how best to proceed."

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