A New Jersey teacher's sexual assault of a young boy came to light years later after people noticed that her child strongly resembled the student she had allegedly raped.
Laura Caron, 34, has been charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, and endangering the welfare of a child, according to prosecutors. The abuse began in 2016 when the student was 11 and continued through 2020. The abuse resulted in a child who was born in 2019, according to prosecutors.
As that child got older, the victim's father noticed through pictures the strong resemblance of the child to himself and the victim, ABC-6 reported. The father made a post about the issue on Facebook, sparking the investigation.
"The welfare of our children is of the utmost importance, and we are fully dedicated to pursuing justice in cases like this. Parents and guardians place immense trust in educators, and when that trust is violated, it impacts everyone," Middle Township Police Chief Tracey Super stated.
Caron, a 5th-grade teacher, taught the victim and his brother. Caron and the family became friends, and eventually, they began allowing their children to have overnight visits at Caron's home, ABC-6 reported. By 2016 the children were living with Caron full-time.
The station reported that the victim's sister said he began sleeping in the same bed as the teacher when he was about 11-years-old. The sister also told investigators that when the victim showered, Caron would sometimes enter the bathroom and lock the door, ABC-6 reported.
The victim texted the sister and admitted the child was hers and asked the sister to keep it a secret, ABC-6 reported. The station also reported that the victim has also confirmed what happened to investigators and told them he had stayed in touch with Caron up until the investigation.
"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. We will work tirelessly to ensure justice is served and to support the victim and their family throughout this process," Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland stated.
