A North Jersey high school teacher has been charged with 2 more counts of sexual assault with 15-year-old male students.

Nicole Dufault
Nicole Dufault (AP Photo/Essex County Prosecutor's Office)
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Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray in a statement added the additional charges of first degree aggravated sexual assault and multiple counts of second degree endangering the welfare of a child against 35-year-old Nicole Dufault of Caldwell..

Dufault pleaded not guilty Friday to charges involving the original three alleged victims

Dufault was arrested Wednesday night for the incidents that happened inside Columbia High School in Maplewood and in her car since last year.

She was being held on $500,000 bail at the Essex County Correctional Facility and police say they removed her two children from her custody.

Prosecutors say Dufault is a language arts teacher and has worked at the school for nine years.

Before the additional charges were announced her lawyer, Timothy Smith, told NJ.com that he would aggressively defend Dufault against what he called "mere allegations" Smith described his client as having "a very good reputation in terms of the effectiveness of her teaching abilities. She’s compassionate. She cares for her students.”

Principal Elizabeth Aaron spoke to the entire student body on Thursday morning according to a letter to parents co-authored by acting Superintendent James Memoli, and stressed the importance of staying 'focused on the important work of teaching and learning throughout any distractions that may arise from the investigations."

Orange-Maplewood School District school board president Elizabeth Daughtry commended Aaron for her handling of the situation and her keeping the school "laser sharp" focused on teaching and learning.

Counseling and other assistance is being offered for students troubled by the incident according to the letter.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report


 

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