School Custodian Charged With Theft

The following arrest information was supplied by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. It does not indicate a conviction.

A night custodian from in West Caldwell has been charged with petty theft and has been suspended without pay, according to sources.

Lisa Ingerto, 29, of Ogdensburg (Sussex County), was arrested at the school on the night of Thursday, April 19 following a joint investigation by the West Caldwell Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

According to a letter sent home to parents by Principal Barbara Adams, West Caldwell Police were contacted in late March after small amounts of money disappeared at various times from different parts of the school.

Ingerto was charged by the Essex County Prosecutor with theft under $100, a disorderly persons offense, and was later released. According to the Prosecutor’s office, she is scheduled to appear in court on May 3.

Ingerto, who worked at night at the elementary school, began employment with the district on November 7, 2011, according to Caldwell-West Caldwell Schools Superintendent Daniel Gerardi.

Gerardi said Ingerto has been suspended without pay by the administration pending Board of Education action at the May 7 public meeting.

Principal Adams sent a letter to parents on Friday alerting them of the arrest.

Principal Adams stated in the letter, "At no time were any students or staff members in any danger."

Washington Elementary School is a public kindergarten through fifth grade school in the Caldwell-West Caldwell school district.