Police arrested and charged a New Jersey teacher this week for allegedly sexually assaulting students.
Nicole Dufault was arrested Wednesday evening and was charged Thursday with multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, reports CBS New York.
Dufualt, a mother of two, is detained at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark on $500,000 bail. She was working as a language arts teacher at Columbia High School for nine years.
"Right now, there are 30 counts involving three 15-year-old boys," Katherine Carter, a spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, told The Huffington Post. However, according to other reports, two more alleged victims were added and Dufualt faces additional charges.
The 35-year-old is accused of performing oral sex and vaginal intercourse with the students on school property and in her car. According to the officials, the sexual assaults began in 2013 and continued until this year.
Columbia High School sent a letter to parents on Thursday, reports CBS New York.
"The CHS administrative team, guidance counselors, student assistance counselors, school social workers, and teachers are actively supporting students and staff impacted by events. If your child is showing signs of stress in reaction to the events or the investigation, please reach out to his or her guidance counselor or a member of the administrative team," the statement read.
Police investigating the case have requested people with any information about the probe to contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit at (973) 753-1130.
