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Partially undressed NJ teacher caught in backseat with one of her students

April 14, 2024 | | Print Article

A school teacher and a student were allegedly discovered in “states of undress” after an investigation, landing the married instructor behind bars.

(Video: ABC7)

A Hamilton, New Jersey English teacher who touted her enjoyment “getting to know” her students and “helping them become the best versions of themselves” allegedly took that too far leading to her arrest Sunday at the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area outside Trenton.

It was there that 37-year-old Jessica Sawicki of Hamilton High School West had reportedly been discovered by officers from New Jersey Fish and Wildlife with a teen victim in “states of undress” in the back of the student’s car.

According to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago, Sawicki, a married woman from Point Pleasant, New Jersey who formerly taught under the name Ms. Zipko, had been under investigation since early 2024 and was alleged to have committed sexual assault at least five times.

“An investigation involving members of the MCPO Special Victims Bureau, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, and the New Jersey State Police revealed that the alleged criminal conduct by Sawicki began earlier this year,” read a release from the prosecutor’s office. “On several occasions, Sawicki allegedly engaged in sexual acts with the victim at the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area.”

The affidavit of probable cause indicated that Sawicki had allegedly admitted to engaging in “unprotected” rape of the minor at least five times, leading to her facing five counts of second-degree Sexual Assault and five counts of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

A profile for the teacher, since placed on administrative leave, that had been scrubbed from the school website detailed, “This is my 7th year working at Hamilton West teaching English,” and the Jersey Shore resident “truly enjoy[s] getting to know the students here and helping them become the best versions of themselves while they strive for their futures.”

Reacting to the news of Sawicki’s arrest, Kristen Stillwell, an aunt of a student at Hamilton, told ABC 7, “I think it’s terrible. I think our kids come here for an education and not to be preyed upon.”

Similarly, a sophomore expressed surprise and told the outlet, “I was just like, that’s crazy. I always see her in the hallway. She always says, ‘Hi,” smiling.”

In their own joint statement addressing the police investigation, Hamilton Township School District Superintendent Scott Rocco and Principal Brian Smith indicated that Sawicki had been placed on leave and that the district “fully cooperated with the prosecutor’s office…and will continue to do so, as needed.”

“Our school district was made aware of a police investigation involving a teacher who works at Hamilton High West. As a result of the information gathered, the school district took immediate action to place the individual on administrative leave,” they detailed before citing “no tolerance” for the alleged action and assuring, “At this time there is no indication that any of the alleged actions took place on school property.”

Sawicki remained detained at Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending her detention hearing.

Kevin Haggerty
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