CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, N.J. (1010 WINS) — A New Jersey 5th-grade teacher was arrested for sexually assaulting a student over a four-year span and allegedly having the boy's child, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Laura Caron, 34, a teacher at Middle Township Elementary School, was charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, and endangering the welfare of a child.
According to an investigation, between 2016 and 2020, Caron allegedly engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student, born in 2005, who had been living in her home during that time.
An affidavit stated that a tip to police cited a Facebook message posted by the student's father, saying that Caron's 5-year-old child looks like him and his son.
Caron's child was born in 2019, when she was 28 and the alleged victim was 13, investigators said.
On Jan. 15, authorities took Caron into custody after a search warrant was executed at her residence.
She is currently being held at the Cape May County Correctional Facility pending her initial court appearance.
"This arrest underscores the unwavering commitment of our office and law enforcement partners to protect the children in our community. Teachers hold a position of great trust, and the allegations in this case represent a deeply troubling breach of that trust," Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said in a statement.
"We will work tirelessly to ensure justice is served and to support the victim and their family throughout this process," he added.
Prosecutor Sutherland urges anyone who may have additional information relating to this investigation to contact the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit at 609-465-1135, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-889-3597.
