A New Jersey middle school teacher has been charged with sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl. After the charges surfaced, bomb threats were made against the female teacher and the institution.
Jenna Sciabica, 38, a Marlboro Memorial Middle School teacher, was charged with one count of harassment-offensive touching. The charge carries a maximum punishment of 30 days in prison.
According to NewJersey.com, the instructor was charged following a month-long investigation by the Marlboro Police Department that included a study of surveillance camera footage, interviews, and written statements. The Marlboro Police Department met with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office before prosecuting the teacher.
Sciabica’s attorney, Mitchell Ansell, described the charges as “outrageous and defamatory.”
“Jenna intends to plead not guilty and vigorously defend herself in court,” Ansell stated. “We are confident that once a judge hears all the facts in this case, Jenna will be completely exonerated and her good name, character, and reputation be restored.”
Ansell continued, “There was simply nothing illegal, indecent, or immoral about Jenna’s encounter with this youngster on March 13, 2024. Quite frankly, accusing Jenna of committing a crime is ridiculous and libelous.
Ansell went on to say that Sciabica “has been dedicated to the education of students for over 15 years” as well as “has never had any prior allegations and/or accusations filed against her and has an exemplary record.”
Sciabica reportedly knew the alleged victim for three years.
“Jenna has a very close relationship with this student’s family, even going as far as having been invited into their home on numerous occasions,” she said.
The statement went on to say, “Sadly, as a result of these false and baseless accusations, Jenna and her family have been the victim of bomb and death threats.”
School authorities allegedly reported to police that the teacher inappropriately touched the student over his clothes. After the accusations, Sciabica was immediately placed on leave by the school district.
“As soon as we became aware of the situation, action was taken, and the staff member in question was immediately removed from her position,” Superintendent Michael Ballone stated in a letter to parents dated Wednesday.
However, the mother of the accused victim is outraged by the response to the allegations.
On Tuesday night, the mother of the alleged victim lambasted the school board and accused Sciabica of sexual assault.
The mother said the female instructor “groped” her 13-year-old daughter in the corridor. She described Sciabica as a “predator” who “sexually abused” her daughter.
At the Marlboro Board of Education hearing, the mother accused the school of “failing to prevent the atrocity that happened down that hallway” to her daughter.
The mother added in a statement, “While we are relieved that action is now being taken, we are disappointed with the charge. It appears that they hastened to give the impression that they were doing something. We hope they will do the right thing for our family and community.”
On Thursday, someone made a bomb threat to the school. The school was closed, and police conducted a search but found no explosives.
The school received another bomb threat on Friday. The authorities did not discover a bomb.
According to police, there is a strong possibility that the sexual assault allegations and bomb threats are related.