Special ed teacher, 43, who stands accused of sexually assaulting student described herself as a 'PASSIONATE' educator on her LinkedIn
A special education teacher who describes herself online as a 'passionate' educator has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting one of her students.
Allison Havemann-Niedrach, 43, a special education teacher at Freehold Intermediate School in New Jersey, was taken into custody earlier this week, prosecutors announced on Saturday.
Her arrest comes after an investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and the Freehold Police Department revealed she allegedly began sexually abusing a student earlier this year.
It is unclear how many times she allegedly sexually assaulted the student or how old the student may have been, though the intermediate school only teaches students from sixth to eighth grade.
Havemann-Niedrach is now facing one count each of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and second-degree child welfare endangerment, and was seen smiling in her mugshot.
She has described herself on her Linkedin profile as a 'passionate, results-driven and sincere educator' with a 'demonstrated history of "do what it takes" work ethic and true differentiated instruction.'
She has worked for the Freehold Borough School District since 2022, and has previously held positions at other New Jersey schools and in Philadelphia, the profile shows.
But in a message to parents on Friday, Freehold Borough School District Superintendent Asia Michael referred to Havemann-Niedrach as a 'former staff member' when announcing her arrest.
'It is with a heavy heart that I must share some distressing news with you,' Michael wrote in the email, obtained by the Asbury Park Press.
'We have been informed that a former staff member has been arrested on third-degree aggravated sexual assault and inappropriate sexual conduct with a minor,' the superintendent continued, misrepresenting the charges.
She added that the school district 'has been fully cooperative with the prosecutor's office since the outset of this investigation' and noted that 'the safety and well-being of our students and staff have been our top priority.'
Michael went on to say the school district 'took immediate measures to ensure' the student and staff's 'protection,' without going into detail.
'We understand that this news can be deeply upsetting,' she concluded, urging any parent to reach out if their child needs support.
Havemann-Niedrach is now being held at the Monmouth County Jail without bail pending her first court appearance and hearing to determine whether she will continue to be detained while awaiting trial.
That hearing is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, July 3.
In the meantime, Havemann-Niedrach's attorney, Thomas Huth, told the Asbury Park Press that she 'maintains her innocence at this time.'
