NJ Teacher Accused Of Faking Doctor's Note To Avoid Masks In School

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Authorities say a Toms River woman has been arrested, accuse of faking a doctor's note to get out of wearing a mask while she works as a teacher in the Woodbridge Public Schools.

Gayle Hadley, 53, of Toms River, was arrested Thursday and charged with one count of fourth-degree uttering and one count of fourth-degree falsifying medical records, the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office said Monday.

Hadley's arrest followed an investigation prompted by concerns raised by the Woodbridge school district’s administration, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Woodbridge Police Director Robert Hubner said.

The investigation by Woodbridge Detective Andrew Kondracki determined a doctor's note that Hadley submitted to the Woodbridge district on Sept. 8 had been forged and that Hadley claimed a fictitious medical exemption from the district’s mask policy.

The New Jersey Education Association is providing Hadley with an attorney, NJEA spokeswoman Dawn Hiltner said. She declined further comment because it is a criminal case.

"We are prohibited from sharing details of sensitive personnel matters," said Woodbridge schools superintendent Dr. Joe Massimino, when asked about Hadley's arrest.

Gov. Phil Murphy's Executive Order 251 requires anyone inside a New Jersey school building to wear a mask at all times. Before Hadley was arrested, Acting NJ Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck sent a letter to all New Jersey county prosecutors, telling them local police must enforce mask-wearing inside school buildings at all times.

All New Jersey schoolteachers have until Oct. 18 to show proof they have been vaccinated or consent to being tested for coronavirus up to twice weekly.

The investigation is active. Anyone with information is asked to call Kondracki at 732-643-7700.

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