A New Jersey middle school teacher has been accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl. After the allegations came to light, a bomb threat was made against the female teacher and the school.
Marlborough Memorial Middle School teacher Jenna Shabika, 38, was charged with harassing and offensive touching. This charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in prison.
The teacher was charged after a month-long investigation by the Marlboro Police Department, which included reviewing CCTV footage, interviews and written statements, according to reports. new jersey.com. The Marlboro Police Department consulted with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office before charging the teacher.
Shabika’s lawyer, Mitchell Ansell, called the allegations “outrageous and defamatory.”
“Jenna maintains her innocence and intends to vigorously defend herself in court,” Ansel said. statement. “We are confident that once the judge considers all the facts in this case, Jenna will be fully exonerated and her good name, character and reputation restored.”
Mr. Ansell continued, “There was nothing illegal, inappropriate, or unethical in Jenna’s interaction with this student on March 13, 2024.Frankly, I believe that Jenna committed a crime.” The charges against him are outrageous and defamatory,” he added.
Ansell said Shabika has “dedicated herself to the education of students for over 15 years” and has an “exemplary career history with no allegations or accusations ever brought against her.” did.
Shabika had known the alleged victim for three years.
“Jenna has a very close relationship with this student’s family and has even been invited to their home multiple times,” Ansell said.
“Sadly, as a result of these false and unfounded accusations, Jenna and her family have become victims of bomb and death threats,” the statement read.
School officials reportedly reported to police that the teacher had inappropriately touched the student over her clothes. Following the accusations, Shabika was immediately placed on administrative leave by the school district.
“Once we became aware of the situation, action was taken and the employee in question was immediately removed from his position,” Superintendent Michael Barone said in a letter to parents Wednesday.
But the mother of the alleged victim is furious at the response to the accusations.
On Tuesday night, the mother of the alleged victim slammed the school board over the alleged teacher sex scandal and filed sexual assault charges against Shabika.
The mother said the female teacher “groped” her 13-year-old daughter in the hallway. She called Shabika a “predator” who “sexually abused” her daughter.
Marlborough School Board era meetingthe mother accused the school of “failing to prevent the brutality that occurred in that hallway” against her daughter.
the mother said with her mouth statement“While we are pleased that action is finally being taken, we are disappointed in these charges. They appear to be in a hurry to appear to be doing something. We believe they are We hope they will do the right thing for our families and communities.” ”
On Thursday, someone made a bomb threat against the school. The school was placed on lockdown and police began a search, but no explosives were found.
There was also a bomb threat at the school on Friday. Authorities found no bomb.
Police said there was likely a connection between the sexual assault charge and the bomb threat.
Do you like Blaze News? Avoid censorship and sign up for our newsletter to get articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. Please register here!
Schools in Marlboro Township, New Jersey closed due to threatswww.youtube.com
