Charges: Christian Ed Professor Had Pics of Kids under 13, Unregistered Guns
By Dan Rozek
A Wheaton college professor who has authored 10 books on children's spirituality had pornographic images of kids younger than 13 on computers police took from his suburban home, DuPage County authorities said Friday. Donald Ratcliff, 60, remained jailed on $750,000 bail after his arrest Thursday on two counts of aggravated child pornography. Ratcliff has taught Christian education since 2006 at the religious college best known as the alma mater of evangelist Billy Graham, but in a YouTube video Ratcliff describes teaching an online class in children's spirituality. Ratcliff, who holds a doctorate in educational psychology, also notes in the video that he has written 10 books "primarily related to children, spirituality and related topics." He was arrested Thursday after a lengthy undercover investigation by Carol Stream police, prosecutors said. Ratcliff also faces misdemeanor charges for having two pistols and 1,600 rounds of ammunition in his home without a valid Firearm Owners ID card, Assistant State's Attorney Anne Therieau said. The handguns are "family heirlooms," defense attorney Daniel Collins said, declining further comment. Police seized at least six computers from Ratcliff, Therieau said, but declined to say how many pornographic images were found or if they were recovered from all the computers. If convicted of the child pornography charges, Ratcliff faces up to seven years in prison. Ratcliff has been placed on administrative leave, a Wheaton College spokeswoman said Friday. Contact: drozek@suntimes.com
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