FREEHOLD – A Monmouth County Grand Jury has indicted a former Freehold Intermediate School teacher on multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of a teenage student, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced.
Allison Havemann-Niedrach, 44, of Jackson, faces seven charges, including first-degree aggravated sexual assault, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child through the manufacture of child sexual abuse materials, two counts of second-degree endangering, second-degree official misconduct, second-degree sexual assault, and third-degree endangering.
Investigators from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Bureau and the Freehold Borough Police Department determined that Havemann-Niedrach’s alleged abuse of a 15-year-old eighth-grade student began in early 2024. Authorities arrested her in June 2024 without incident.
Allison Havemann-Niedrach (Photo courtesy Monmouth County Authorities)
Concerns Raised Months Earlier
This newspaper has spoken to a parent whose son was friends with the victim. Although he was not in the alleged victim’s class, the eighth-grade boy learned something from a friend he thought was important enough to pass on to his mother.
“My son came to me in February of last year and told me that his friend was dating a teacher’s daughter,” said Heather Kotler. “People were saying that the teacher was texting, that they were texting each other inappropriate pictures.”
Kotler said she waited a day to ask her son more questions. Coincidentally, she needed to talk to the school’s vice principal and decided she’d mention what her son told her. According to Kotler, the school administrator appeared shocked and said they would start an investigation.
“I never heard from her again about it at all,” Kotler said.
Kotler also recalled that the school’s principal pulled the victim out of class to speak with him about the situation. The principal warned him that if rumors didn’t stop, he might have to confiscate his phone and check it. Kotler was shocked to learn that Havemann-Niedrach had remained in her classroom the entire time, even after the alleged misconduct was reported in February. The student involved was allegedly still in her class until the teacher was removed in June.
“This was something that all the eighth-grade students were talking about,” Kotler said. “If they were investigating, why was she still in the classroom?”
When contacted for comment, Asia Michael, the district’s Superintendent of Schools replied by email. “The District takes each and every allegation of this nature very seriously and takes action swiftly when appropriate and as needed,” wrote Michael. “Upon the advice of counsel, and in consideration that this matter is currently working through the criminal justice system, the District will not provide any comment.”
“Notwithstanding, your question – which neglects to identify the parent or the specific report that was made – implies that the District did not take timely action,” continued Michael. “The District vehemently denies any such contention.”
Allison Havemann-Niedrach stands next to her attorney Thomas Huth during a court hearing before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Christie Bevacqua. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
What Was Learned Before The Indictment
This newspaper has reviewed bodycam footage from June 27, 2024, the date of Havemann-Niedrach’s arrest. The video shows she was taken into custody at her parents’ residence in Jackson, not her own home, shortly before midnight.
During the arrest, Havemann-Niedrach expressed discomfort speaking to the officers without her attorney present. She also stated, “I don’t have a phone. It got destroyed actually. I lost it today and it got run over.”
Before being transported by Freehold Borough Police, Havemann-Niedrach informed her husband that she had written her attorney’s and pastor’s names in red crayon on a piece of paper affixed to a cabinet. She also notified the officers of her medical conditions and indicated she had prepared her medications. Havemann-Niedrach appeared unsurprised by the arrest.
The complaint warrant at that time details two counts that established probable cause for her arrest. The first alleges “aggravated sexual assault while having supervisory authority over the victim, specifically by engaging in sexual intercourse with a [redacted] student.” The second count alleges “endangering the welfare of a child, while having supervisory authority over the victim, specifically by engaging in sexual intercourse with a [redacted] student.”
At Havemann-Niedrach’s detention hearing on July 5, 2024, Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki stated that another teacher witnessed Havemann-Niedrach rubbing the victim’s neck and back, flirting with him, and touching his leg.
The victim’s mother told police her daughter saw the victim in the teacher’s car and that he was on the phone late at night. The victim initially denied a relationship, saying he was dating the teacher’s daughter.
A search of the victim’s phone revealed over 25,000 text messages, including explicit texts, photos, and videos, between him and Havemann-Niedrach. The victim later admitted to a sexual relationship that began in January 2024, including oral, vaginal, and anal sex at her house.
The victim experienced a mental health crisis during the investigation and was hospitalized. He requested police keep his phone to prevent further contact.
Zanzuccki also said the victim alleged Havemann-Niedrach took him to a hotel, and cell phone location data confirmed his presence there.
Allison Havemann-Niedrach consults with her attorney Thomas Huth after her court appearance. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Havemann-Niedrach’s attorney argued for her release, citing her lack of criminal record and ties to the community. He said she resigned from her teaching position and remained in the area. Havemann-Niedrach is married with two children, and her husband and parents were present in court.
Superior Court Judge Vincent Falcetano released Havemann-Niedrach to home detention at her parents’ residence without electronic monitoring. She is prohibited from contacting the victim or other minors and from using social media or computers to contact minors. There is no indication that the detention remand has been lifted.
The defendant appeared for a second time on August 8 before Judge Christie Bevacqua. At that time, her case was referred to the grand jury. Attorney Thomas Huth of the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall appeared on Havemann-Niedrach’s behalf during that hearing. He was contacted for comment on his client’s indictment and has not yet responded.
It is unknown at this time what contributed to the additional five charges brought against Havemann-Niedrach since her initial arrest. Notwithstanding, she is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The post Former Freehold Teacher From Ocean County Indicted For Sex Crimes Against Student appeared first on Jersey Shore Online.
