Galesburg, IL – The Knox County Sheriff’s Office announced two separate arrests this week connected to serious child safety and welfare offenses, underscoring the agency’s ongoing commitment to protect local youth.
According to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, investigators on Monday, October 20, 2025, arrested Jacob J. Croxton, 41, of Bushnell, Illinois, at a rural business near Oneida. Croxton was taken into custody on a McDonough County warrant for two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, both Class 2 felonies.
Authorities said the arrest was made without incident following coordination between Knox and McDonough County officials. Croxton was later transported to the Knox County Jail, pending transfer to McDonough County authorities.
In a separate case, deputies on October 16, 2025, responded to a report of a juvenile left unattended near Illinois Route 180 and Knox Highway 24 outside Victoria. After locating the child safely, investigators identified Felicia M. Potter, 34, of East Galesburg, as the driver allegedly involved.
Potter was arrested and charged with two counts of child endangerment, one count of child abandonment, and one count of reckless driving. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has since taken both children into protective care as the investigation continues.
Sheriff Jack Harlan Jr. emphasized that “every child deserves to be safe and protected,” adding that the department will continue working with surrounding agencies to hold offenders accountable.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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