Youth Softball Coach Arrested for Allegedly Sexually Abusing 12-Year-Old Girl in Vernon Hills

VERNON HILLS, Ill. — A Chicago-area youth softball coach has been arrested after police say he sexually abused a 12-year-old girl he was privately training in Vernon Hills.

Eduardo “Eddie” Acosta-Gonzalez, 54, of Hoffman Estates, surrendered to Vernon Hills police Monday afternoon with his attorney. A warrant had been issued for his arrest on two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

The investigation began after the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services referred allegations involving Acosta-Gonzalez and the 12-year-old girl to Vernon Hills police.

Police said Acosta-Gonzalez was the girl’s softball hitting coach and trained her at a sports performance facility in Vernon Hills where he rented space for private coaching.

Investigators allege Acosta-Gonzalez sexually touched the girl’s breast and groin while massaging her during two separate incidents in the spring and summer of 2026.

Police obtained an arrest warrant on August 21. Authorities initially could not locate Acosta-Gonzalez and believed he may have left Illinois.

Investigators have also received statements indicating that Acosta-Gonzalez may have acted inappropriately toward other underage athletes.

Police said he has provided private coaching throughout the Chicago area and most recently trained young athletes in Vernon Hills and Wauconda.

Parents whose children were coached or trained by Acosta-Gonzalez are being asked to speak with their children and contact Vernon Hills police if they learn of other potentially inappropriate or criminal conduct.

Following his surrender, Acosta-Gonzalez was transferred to the Lake County Jail and was expected to appear in court Tuesday.

The two aggravated criminal sexual abuse charges are enhanced Class 1 felonies because Acosta-Gonzalez allegedly held a position of trust, authority or supervision over the girl as her coach. He could face up to 15 years in prison on each count if convicted.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vernon Hills Police Department Investigations Division at 847-918-5605 or pdtips@vhills.org.

Acosta-Gonzalez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.