Teacher's Aide Raped Burlington County Student: Prosecutor

RIVERSIDE, NJ — A teacher's aide was charged and suspended from work after investigators found she sexually assaulted a student, the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office announced Wednesday.

Michelle Jacoby works at Riverside High School, where she's also the marching band director. The 27-year-old had multiple encounters with the student over a two-year period, beginning when he was a freshman, the prosecutor's office said.

Jacoby, of Riverside, was charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault — New Jersey's legal term for rape — and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Officials took her into custody Tuesday night and released her Wednesday, following a court appearance.

The investigation began Tuesday after the BCPO's Special Victims Unit received information that the student disclosed the "relationship" to a teacher, the prosecutor's office said. The relationship, which has since ended, involved multiple encounters — almost all in Jacoby's home — according to law enforcement.

Michael Adams, superintendent of the Riverside Township Public School District, addressed the matter to the school community.

"The safety of our students and staff is absolutely paramount," Adams said in a statement. "Therefore, I want to assure you that based on the information shared with me regarding this specific allegation from a few years ago, there is no current safety concern for our staff or students. The School District will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities regarding this situation and will continue to provide the appropriate support/training for our staff and students."