New Jersey high school teacher charged after allegedly sexually assaulting student in parked car near nature preserve

A high school teacher in Mercer County, New Jersey, was arrested and charged on Monday for sexually assaulting a student on several occasions.

A statement from Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago's office revealed that 37-year-old Jessica Sawicki was arrested on five counts of second-degree sexual assault and five counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

New Jersey State Police said that the English teacher "allegedly engaged in sexual acts with the victim at the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area in Upper Freehold Township" on "several occasions."

According to an affidavit obtained by the New York Post, Sawicki told police that she and the student had "unprotected" sex at least five times since December. It noted the teen was "at least 16 but not yet 18."

The Hamilton Township School district, where Sawicki worked, revealed in a statement that she had been placed on administrative leave after being informed of the investigation by police.

"The alleged incident goes against our professional standards as a school district and is far removed from the expectations we have for the personal conduct of an employee," the statement said. "We have no tolerance for any actions that harm or could potentially harm our students. The actions of one staff member do not represent the hard work and dedication of our entire school community."

The school district noted, "At this time there is no indication that any of the alleged actions took place on school property." The school removed Sawicki's teacher profile from its website following the arrest.

Sawicki was taken to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) and was not placed on bond, so she will remain incarcerated until her first hearing next week.

Police are asking anyone with information related to this case to contact Detective David Sidorakis at 1-800-533-7443.