A New Jersey teacher faces charges of sexually abusing her former fifth-grade student for four years while he and his two siblings lived with her.

Laura Caron, 34, is also accused of having a 5-year-old son whom police believe was fathered by the victim when he was just 13. Caron’s arrest follows the victim’s father noticing striking similarities between her son and his eldest child, now an adult.

Caron, then 26, taught fifth grade at Middle Township Elementary School when she developed a close relationship with a male student’s mother. The mother, knowing her two younger children would also have Caron as a teacher, became fast friends with her. Caron agreed to babysit for the family, which led to overnight stays a few times a week, eventually resulting in the three children living with her full time.

The three children shared a bedroom on the second floor, but the eldest brother’s bed was often empty in the morning. His siblings frequently found him on the first floor, coming from Caron’s bedroom. The younger children also observed Caron going into the bathroom while their brother showered and exiting with him, both wet and wrapped in towels. While watching TV before bed, Caron often sat with the 11-year-old boy in a reclining chair. One evening, the middle brother, 8, woke up to see Caron and his brother moving under a blanket in the chair.

Three years after inviting her student and his siblings to live with her, Caron gave birth to a baby boy. She remained quiet about the father, claiming he was unprepared for parenthood but expressing gratitude for the child. Caron continued to care for the siblings alongside her baby boy.

The three children moved out shortly after her son’s first birthday, but Caron maintained close contact with the family, especially their daughter, who was the last to enter fifth grade.

The boy’s mother discovered a photo of Caron’s son, now 5, on Facebook and showed it to her husband, who remarked on the child’s striking resemblance to their eldest son. He admitted to fathering Caron’s baby but urged her to let it go to avoid trouble for Caron. The father then commented on Facebook that Caron’s kindergartener looked a lot like his son, who was just 13 when the baby was born.

Middle Township Superintendent Dr. David Salvo learned of the post and reported it to the police, suspecting inappropriate conduct between a teacher and a student.

Police began investigating the superintendent’s claims and interviewed Caron’s alleged victim, now an adult. The victim disclosed that Caron initiated a sexual relationship with him in 2016, shortly after he and his siblings moved into her home. He confirmed that he fathered Caron’s child and that their physical relationship continued until the siblings moved out in 2020, although he remained in contact with her until his family uncovered the truth.

Laura Caron was arrested outside her Cape May Court House home just over a week after the victim’s interview. She faces charges of sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, and endangering a minor by sexual conduct. Caron is currently held at the Cape May County Correctional Facility.

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[Feature Photo: Police Handout]