FREEHOLD ― A teacher at Freehold Intermediate School is in the Monmouth County Jail, charged with having a sexual relationship with a student, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said Saturday.
Allison Havemann-Niedrach, 43, of Jackson, was arrested earlier this week and charged with one count each of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, the prosecutor said.
The arrest was made following an investigation that revealed the alleged sexual relationship began earlier this year, Santiago said.
Havemann-Niedrach is being held without bail at the jail, pending a first court appearance and a hearing to determine if she will continue to be detained while awaiting trial.
The hearing is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, said Havemann-Niedrach’s attorney, Thomas Huth.
“My client maintains her innocence at this time,” Huth said. “We have no further comment.”
Asia Michael, schools superintendent for the Freehold Borough School District, sent an email Friday to staff and parents alerting them to the arrest of someone she described as a former staff member.
“It is with a heavy heart that I must share some distressing news with you,” the email said.
“We have been informed that a former staff member has been arrested on allegations of third-degree aggravated sexual assault and inappropriate sexual conduct with a minor,” it said.
Aggravated sexual assault, however is a first-degree crime, not a third-degree criminal offense, as the superintendent’s email indicated.
The intermediate school houses grades six through eight.
“Please be assured that our district has been fully cooperative with the prosecutor’s office since the outset of this investigation,” Michael said in the email. “The safety and well-being of our students and staff have been our top priority, and we took immediate measures to ensure their protection.
“We understand that this news can be deeply upsetting,” the email continued. “If you or your child are in need of support or someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to reach out to the superintendent’s office.”
The investigation by the prosecutor’s Special Victims Bureau and Freehold Borough police continues. Authorities are asking anyone with information about Havemann-Niedrach’s activities to contact prosecutor’s Detective Dawn Correia at 800-533-7443.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki, director of the Special Victims Bureau.
Kathleen Hopkins, a reporter in New Jersey since 1985, covers crime, court cases, legal issues and just about every major murder trial to hit Monmouth and Ocean counties. Contact her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Freehold Borough teacher had sex with middle school pupil: cops charge
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