Teen Defends Teacher Accused of Sexual Abuse, Calls for Charges to Be Dropped

A 19-year-old New Jersey man has come forward to defend his former elementary school teacher, Laura Caron, 34, who is facing charges of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, and endangering the welfare of a child.

Caron, who taught fifth grade at Middle Township Elementary School, is accused of sexually abusing the boy beginning when he was 11, with the alleged relationship leading to the birth of a child in 2019 when he was 13.

The teenager, whose identity remains protected due to his age at the time of the alleged crimes, insists he was not groomed or coerced. In an interview with Daily Mail, he stated that he was the one who initiated the relationship and dismissed the charges against Caron.

“They need to drop all charges. I wasn’t groomed or raped or manipulated by her. She never initiated anything. I started everything,” he said. He also expressed strong feelings for Caron, adding, “I love her with all my heart. She was there for me and my family.”

The case came to light in December 2024 when the boy’s father publicly raised concerns about the resemblance between Caron’s five-year-old child and both himself and his son. This led to an investigation that uncovered disturbing allegations from the victim’s siblings.

His sister told authorities she believed her brother began sleeping in Caron’s bed when he was 11, and his brother claimed to have witnessed Caron sexually assaulting him. According to court documents, the boy later confirmed the sexual relationship and acknowledged fathering Caron’s child.

Caron’s attorney, John Tumelty, has argued that there is no definitive DNA evidence proving paternity, as testing is still underway. He also emphasized that Caron had no prior criminal history and was widely respected as a teacher and community member.

Caron was released from jail on January 21, 2025, under strict conditions, including no contact with the victim or his family and no unsupervised interactions with minors except for her daughter. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in prison.

The case has sparked widespread debate, with discussions about the teenager’s defense of Caron, the nature of consent, and the responsibilities of educators. However, New Jersey law is clear—while the legal age of consent is 16, it is illegal for teachers or any authority figures responsible for minors to engage in sexual relationships with them, regardless of who initiates contact.

Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland stressed the seriousness of the case, stating, “Teachers hold a position of great trust, and the allegations in this case represent a deeply troubling breach of that trust. We will work tirelessly to ensure justice is served and to support the victim and their family throughout this process.”

Caron is scheduled for a pre-indictment conference on February 25, 2025.