NJ substitute teacher charged with having sex with student at school

MANVILLE - A substitute teacher from Somerset County becomes the latest educator to be arrested for having inappropriate sexual contact with a student.

Nicholas Kita, a substitute teacher in the Manville Public School District, had sexual contact with a 16-year-old female while on school property on March 17, Somerset County Acting Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Kita and the student exchanged communications of a sexual nature via cell phone before their encounter, officials said.

In an email, Manville superintendent Anne R. Facendo said, "Based on information brought to our attention in the spring of 2016, Manville School District Administration immediately alerted the Manville Police Department and Institutional DCPP (formerly DYFS) regarding this issue. A full investigation ensued. The district took this report very seriously and fully complied with authorities for the duration of the investigation. The substitute teacher in question is no longer employed by the Manville School District. Our administrators within the district maintain, and will continue to maintain, a sense of vigilance regarding the protection of our students."

Kita was arrested at his home on 10th Avenue on Wednesday. Kita is free on bail and faces third-degree charges of endangering the welfare of a child, and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.

According to his Facebook page, Kita describes himself as a "professional photographer, nutritional cleansing expert, and a serial entrepreneur."

Robertson asked anyone with information about this case to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Manville Borough Police Department at 908-725-1900.

In another recent case, Daniel Kropa, 24, of Freehold Township was arrested in June for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old female several times over the course of several months while he was a substitute at Freehold Township High School. He was released on bail and is no longer working for the system.