An Illinois mom faces decades behind bars for allegedly conceiving a child with an underage boy.
According to legal documents obtained by People magazine, 43-year-old Robyn Polston was arrested this week after a months-long investigation determined she and a 14-year-old were the parents of an infant. Polston was charged with two counts of criminal sexual assault with a victim aged 13-17, as well as two counts of possession of child pornography.
Authorities were alerted to the crimes shortly after Polston gave birth to her third child back in January. A resident reportedly submitted a complaint, alleging Polston had "engaged in a sexual relationship with a minor." The Washington Police Department immediately began looking into the case and questioned Polston about her pregnancy.
Investigators said the defendant maintained that the baby’s father was a man named Brian, a 20-something-year-old who wasn’t involved in the newborn’s life. However, authorities later learned that Polston had given her baby the same middle and surname as the alleged teenage victim, which, of course, fueled suspicion.
Police also noted that Polston had chaperoned a junior high dance in May 2023, and that the teenage boy was her daughter’s date. The victim and his family reportedly moved away shortly after, but returned to his former hometown for a “visit,” approximately nine months before Polston gave birth. An affidavit also stated that the teen had moved back to town in August 2024 to live with the family of a “friend.”
The connections between the defendant and teen prompted authorities to conduct interviews and an investigation, which yielded "a large number of sexually explicit images and videos depicting [the alleged victim] and Polston.” Authorities said the images were found on the teen’s phone and were seemingly shot by the defendant.
Polston is also accused of using a fake name and “burner” device to communicate with the teen.
As the evidence mounted, investigators obtained DNA samples from the defendant and minor. A subsequent test determined they were the baby’s parents.
Polston was booked into Tazewell County Jail earlier this week and is being held without bail.
Her next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 4. She faces up to 60 years in prison.