Crime & Safety
Mendham Teacher's Alleged Tryst With Student Headed to Grand Jury
Indictment could be returned against teacher for official misconduct charge.
The Mendham High School teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old student in 2014 may be indicted after a judge sent the case to a grand jury Tuesday.
According to nj.com, the prosecution and defense came in for an early disposition hearing Tuesday but were far apart, forcing Judge Stuart Minkowitz to refer the case to a grand jury.
Nicole McDonough, 32, is charged with official misconduct after allegedly having a three-day tryst with a then 18-year-old student between May 31 and June 2.
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The honors and International Baccalaureate English teacher was arrested on Dec. 30 after a joint investigation between the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and Mendham Borough Police department. McDonough was arrested and posted $75,000 bail.
McDonough taught at West Morris Central from 2007 to 2011, then went on leave until April, 2013. She rejoined the district as a teacher at Mendham High School. She has been placed on paid leave from the district.
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According to a transcription of the complaint against McDonough, she “did commit official misconduct by committing acts relating to defendant’s office but constituting an unauthorized exercise of defendant’s official function, knowing that such act is unauthorized, specifically by engaging in sexual intercourse with X.X., who was a student at West Morris Mendham High School, while defendant was employed as a teacher at West Morris Mendham High School.”
The prosecutor has not made a plea offer to McDonough, nj.com reported, and her attorney, Tim Smith, said he hopes to fight the charge and ultimately have it dismissed.
Smith also said any relationship was legal and consensual and occurred off school grounds, the report said.
A grand jury indictment could take months to return, the report said.
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