A special education teacher at an intermediate school in New Jersey was arrested for an alleged sexual relationship with a student, according to authorities. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced that Alison Haveman-Niedrach, 43, of Freehold Intermediate School, has been charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
According to New York PostHe was arrested earlier this week after an investigation revealed he began sexually abusing his student earlier this year. However, authorities did not say how the behavior unfolded or how often he abused the student. The alleged victim’s age has also not been disclosed, but the sixth through eighth graders attend Freehold Intermediate School.
He is currently being held at the Monmouth County Jail in Freehold Township pending his first appearance and detention hearing. A hearing will be held to determine if he will be held in custody while awaiting trial.
The prosecutor’s office asked the public to provide more information about his activities. “Anyone with information about Haveman-Niedrach’s activities is urged to contact MCPO Detective Don Correa at 800-533-7443,” the release said.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Haveman-Niedrach has been a special education teacher at Freehold Intermediate School since March 2022. She has been a teacher or substitute teacher at several schools since 2008, according to her profile.
The teacher describes herself as: “Passionate, results-oriented, and conscientious teacher. Balanced and competent and thrives in a performance-driven environment. ‘Do what it takes’ work ethic and demonstrated history of truly differentiated instruction.”
Following the arrest, Asia Michael, superintendent of the Freehold Borough School District, sent an email to staff and parents that read, “We have been notified that a former staff member has been arrested on charges of third-degree aggravated sexual assault and inappropriate sexual conduct with a minor.
Please be assured that our district has been fully cooperating with the prosecutor’s office since the beginning of this investigation. The safety and well-being of our students and staff has been our top priority, and we have taken immediate measures to ensure their safety.”
Meanwhile, the teacher’s lawyer said in a statement that she “maintains her innocence” and declined to comment further.