Crime
43-year-old Robyn Polston Allegedly Pregnant by Daughter’s 14-Year-Old Ex-Boyfriend, Gives Birth in Washington, Illinois
Update: Washington Police have arrested one person after an alleged sexual relationship with a minor.
Police say 43-year-old Robyn Polston was arrested Monday for Criminal Sexual Assault and Child Pornography.
Washington Police says the investigation began after a complaint came in alleging the sexual relationship.
Police say the investigation involved interviews, several search warrants, as well as biological and digital evidence.
Polston was taken to the Tazewell County Jail.
Original Report:
Questions continue to circulate in Washington, Illinois, regarding the case of 43-year-old Robyn Polston, a mother accused of grooming and sexually abusing her teenage daughter’s 14-year-old ex-boyfriend, ultimately becoming pregnant.
Despite widespread public concern, Polston has not been arrested or charged, as authorities await the results of a DNA test that could take several more months to process.
According to investigators, Polston allegedly manipulated the teenager into moving in with her after misrepresenting her intentions to the boy’s grandparents.
She is accused of engaging in a months-long sexual relationship with him, during which she became pregnant.
Photos that have surfaced online show Polston posing in a maternity shoot alongside the boy, allegedly telling the photographer that he was 25 years old but “just had a baby face.”
Additional allegations suggest that Polston had the child baptized and gave the baby the teenage victim’s last name.
In a separate instance, she reportedly shared details in a breastfeeding support group, describing the baby’s father’s height and weight, further fueling outrage among community members who believe the case is being mishandled.
Authorities have confirmed that a DNA sample was collected approximately four months ago.
However, because the analysis must go through a state crime lab currently facing severe backlogs, investigators caution that results could take up to six months to complete.
The Washington Police Department has stated that they cannot move forward with charges until the DNA test confirms the paternity of the child.
Meanwhile, Polston remains free, while the alleged victim—now living in a nearby town—continues to attend high school.
Critics argue that if the roles were reversed and a man were accused of impregnating a 14-year-old girl, an arrest would have occurred immediately. Community members have expressed frustration toward both the State’s Attorney’s Office and the Washington Police Department for the delay in accountability.
The case has sparked heated debate about how allegations of sexual abuse are handled when the accused is female, as well as the broader challenges posed by forensic backlogs in serious criminal investigations.
Authorities have not provided an updated timeline but have reiterated that the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Crime
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.