Long Branch Man, A Teacher, Accused Of Having Relationship With Teen

LITTLE SILVER, NJ — A teacher at Red Bank Regional High School was arrested and charged with having a long-term sexual relationship with a former student, starting when she was enrolled at the school, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced Monday.

Michael F. Canning, 41, who is a Long Branch resident, is charged with second-degree sexual assault, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.

According to the prosecutor, the relationship between the two started in 2015, when the victim was a junior in high school, and extended into 2019.

On numerous occasions during that time, Canning engaged in sexual acts with the victim at various locations in Red Bank, Little Silver and Shrewsbury, said the prosecutor.

Canning was an English teacher at Red Bank Regional High School.

Canning was arrested without incident in Oceanport on Saturday and taken to the Monmouth County Jail, where he remains incarcerated pending a first appearance.

“These allegations constitute an egregious betrayal of the immense degree of faith we place upon teachers to always act in the best interests of the young minds they are entrusted to develop and educate,” Acting Prosecutor Santiago said. “The charges filed this weekend are emblematic of our firm commitment to ensure that such conduct is never tolerated, and always met with swift action.”

This matter remains under joint investigation by members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Bureau and the Red Bank Police Department. Anyone with information about Canning’s activities is being urged to contact MCPO Detective Kayla Santiago at 800-533-7443 or Red Bank Police Department Detective Paul Perez at 732-530-2700.

This case is being prosecuted by the MCPO Special Victims Bureau Director, Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki. Canning is represented by defense attorney Kristin S. Pallonetti, who has an office in Red Bank.