The parents of a 14-year-old girl from New Jersey are suing after their daughter was reportedly molested by her female teacher. The teacher, Jenna Sciabica, allegedly groomed the student with sexual talk and then groped her breasts in a school hallway. The incident occurred on March 13 at Marlboro Memorial Middle School. The family filed court papers detailing the allegations on May 1 in Monmouth County Superior Court. The accusations have sparked outrage in the community, with some parents criticizing the district and police for mishandling the case and being slow to act.
According to the court papers, the student was called over by Sciabica, who then began fondling and rubbing the girl’s breasts with her hands. The teacher allegedly continued to touch and rub the student’s breasts, even placing her hands on the girl’s forehead in an inappropriate manner. The family claims that the incident was caught on camera and that another teacher witnessed Sciabica yelling for the girl to come back so she could touch her again. Sciabica was acquainted with the girl due to tutoring her siblings who have special needs for over a year. The family also alleges that Sciabica engaged in sexually explicit and flirtatious conversations with female students at the school.
The lawsuit, which names Sciabica, as well as the school district, school board, and the Marlboro superintendent, seeks unspecified damages. The family accuses additional defendants of lying about the incident or making defamatory statements. Sciabica’s attorney has dismissed the claims as defamatory and described them as a money grab. He emphasized that his client has an unblemished record and has received support from numerous individuals since the charges were brought against her. The attorney is confident that the truth will come out and that Sciabica will be exonerated once all the evidence is presented in a court of law.
At a public meeting of the Marlboro Board of Education, the alleged victim’s mother referred to Sciabica as a “predator” and criticized the board for failing to prevent the incident. A day after the meeting, Marlboro Police charged Sciabica with one count of harassment, a misdemeanor. The lawsuit also mentions another student who claims Sciabica engaged in inappropriate behavior and conversations with her. Despite the student reporting the behavior to a school guidance counselor, no action was taken.
The lawsuit highlights the disturbing details of the alleged incident and the impact it has had on the community. The accusations have raised questions about the handling of the case by the school district and police. The legal battle between the parents of the victim and the defendants continues, with both sides presenting their arguments in court. It remains to be seen how the case will unfold and what the outcome will be for all parties involved.