CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — Laura Caron, 34, of Cape May Court House, a fifth-grade teacher at Middle Township Elementary School, has been charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
The charges stem from an investigation alleging that between 2016 and 2020, Caron engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student, born in 2005, who had been residing in her home during that time.
Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Chief Michael Emmer, in conjunction with Chief Tracey Super of the Middle Township Police Department, announced the arrest Jan. 15.
The Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit along with the Middle Township Police Department, Detective Unit took Caron into custody without incident. Subsequently, a court-authorized search warrant was executed at Caron’s residence.
She was charged with aggravated sexual assault, a crime of the first degree; sexual assault, a crime of the second degree; and endangering the welfare of a child, a crime of the second degree. Caron was being held at the Cape May County Jail pending her initial court appearance.
Sutherland said those charged with a first-degree crime are subject to a term of imprisonment of 10 to 20 years in state prison, and those charged with a second-degree crime are subject to a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years in prison.
“This arrest underscores the unwavering commitment of our office and law enforcement partners to protect the children in our community,” Sutherland wrote in a press release. “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.”
Middle Township Police Chief Super also commented on the arrest.
“The welfare of our children is of the utmost importance, and we are fully dedicated to pursuing justice in cases like this. Parents and guardians place immense trust in educators, and when that trust is violated, it impacts everyone,” Super wrote. “I want to personally assure the parents of Middle Township that we are taking every step possible to ensure the safety of our children. Our department is working closely with the Prosecutor’s Office to ensure that every aspect of this case is thoroughly investigated. If there are others who may have relevant information, I urge them to come forward immediately. No piece of information is too small when it comes to protecting our community.”
In response to the incident, the Middle Township School District has been notified and is cooperating with law enforcement. Counseling and support services are being made available to students, staff and families who may be affected by this news.
Sutherland urges anyone who may have additional information relating to this investigation to contact the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at (609) 465-1135, or anonymously through the Prosecutor’s Office website at cmcpo.tips as well as through the Cape May County Sheriffs Tip Line at cmcsherrif.net and click on anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at (609) 889-3597.