New Jersey Teacher’s Aide Michelle Jacoby Charged In Sexual Relationship with Student

A teacher’s aide at Riverside High School has been arrested for having a sexual relationship with a male student, according to a press release from Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Delanco Township Police Chief Adam M. Tilger.

A second-degree charge of endangering a child’s welfare was added to the first-degree charges of aggravated sexual assault against Riverside resident Michelle Jacoby, 27. Having made an appearance in superior court, she was taken into custody and released earlier this week.

The case is now ready to be presented to a grand jury for consideration of an indictment.

The BCPO Special Victims Unit launched an investigation earlier this week after learning that the student had revealed the relationship to a teacher.

According to the investigation, the two-year relationship, which ended after several encounters, began when the student was a freshman and included numerous meetings. The majority of them occurred in Jacoby’s home.

The student’s age and other personal information are being withheld in order to protect his privacy.

Michelle Jacoby, who also oversees the marching band at Riverside High School, has been suspended, according to Riverside Superintendent Michael Adams.

Adams told the school community in a statement that “the safety of our students and staff is absolutely paramount.”

“As a result, based on the information shared with me regarding this specific allegation from a few years ago, there is no current safety concern for our staff or students,” he continued.

“The School District will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities in this situation and will continue to provide the appropriate support/training for our staff and students,” Adams stated.

Prosecutor’s Office and Delanco Township Police Department jointly conducted the investigation. Det. Nick Schieber of the BCPO and Officer Adam Lipiec of the DTPD are the main investigators.

Jacoby is being charged by Stephen Eife, an assistant prosecutor in charge of the Special Victims Unit.